Schönebeck. The final certificates were recently awarded, the very first since the unique training course began at the Otto Allendorff vocational schools in Schönebeck: Eleven young captains and one female captain of inland waterway transport received their certificates from course team leader Volker Jödicke and class teacher Philipp Höhle (on the right in the photo), as well as training manager Jörg Krumm and headmistress Astrid Mann (on the left).
"We are all very proud of this result," said District Administrator Markus Bauer, adding his congratulations to the graduates. "Because we have worked long and purposefully for this, because there is a lot of commitment and energy behind it from everyone involved. A great testimony for our educational centre Salzlandkreis."
The vocational college in Schönebeck is one of only two in Germany that train inland waterway skippers. In 2022, a separate training programme for inland navigation captains was also introduced - a new level of quality for the vocational students in a large catchment area and for securing skilled workers in the industry. "To achieve this goal, with political support, we have invested in our modern training expertise, in the necessary technology, equipment and modern learning materials," the district administrator recalls of the past three and a half years of training. "We are now sending the first transnational graduating class into the professional world. They have completed the new captain training programme at our vocational college and passed their practical examination on the shallow water simulator. As captains, these twelve graduates will not only be at the helm in future, but will also bear responsibility for the ship, crew and safety on the waterways. If things continue as planned, the next graduating class will already be using the school's own simulator." All of this is important not least for the further profiling and prospects of vocational schools in rural areas. Strengthening vocational schools is one of the objectives of the Salzlandkreis 2030 strategy for the future.
Like Headmistress Mann, the District Administrator also thanked the teaching staff for their commitment on deck and ashore, as well as parents and friends who supported the young people as safe harbours. He wished the new captains always a hand's breadth of water under the rudder, a clear view, reliable crews and always the necessary calm at the helm.