Bernburg. Five of them had just completed their first month as newly qualified administrative assistants and IT specialists at the district administration; for the other eleven young women and men, their apprenticeships or dual study programmes are now beginning in the Salzlandkreis and at its two municipal enterprises. District Administrator Markus Bauer had invited them all to a personal welcome event, together with the managers of the municipal enterprises.
On that day in September, Dirk Trappe accompanied his two new apprentices to the district agricultural enterprise. The Jobcentre has placed two students on a dual study programme with practical work experience at the site. Department head Helen Weigel attended the meeting on behalf of operations manager Thomas Holz.
“That way, we get to know one another right from the start. The young people can get to know one another and network amongst themselves,” says the district administrator – and he is not the only one who thinks so. “Ultimately, we work together and belong together. To continue fulfilling our duties in local government in the future, we need skilled staff. Finding and retaining them, and training them ourselves, is hugely important.”
Apprentices and students on dual-track programmes regularly join the teams at the district authority, KWB and JC after passing their final examinations:
This month, two young women and four men began their apprenticeships as administrative assistants and IT specialists at the central administration, whilst one student is studying Public Administration at Harz University of Applied Sciences, also based at the central administration. The apprentices are ‘true locals’ of the Salzlandkreis, and the student is from the Harz region.
The Jobcentre also offers a work-study programme, in collaboration with Fulda University of Applied Sciences. The Jobcentre, in its capacity as an employer, launched the scheme in 2022 and now employs seven students. After four years of training, culminating in a ‘Bachelor of Arts in Social Work’, the first two are now graduating and will take up their roles as integration advisers there. At the same time, the next two young women are starting the dual study programme.
The District Public Works Department is primarily looking for road maintenance workers. Two young men have opted for this three-year apprenticeship with the KWB and are just starting out. The Salzlandkreis also offers them good prospects for the future. Upon successful completion of the programme, both may be offered permanent positions as KWB employees.
During the joint discussion, District Administrator Markus Bauer and the site managers highlighted these prospects in the local region in particular. They thanked the young professionals for their commitment and are looking forward to the fresh ideas that young people will bring.
Whilst the newly qualified professionals, with permanent contracts in hand, spoke about their personal experiences up to this point – from their demanding training and the exams they had passed to their first days in their respective district specialist services – the new recruits were able to introduce themselves and get a better idea of what lay ahead for them.
Your work in public administration carries with it a special responsibility towards society. It involves more than simply carrying out statutory duties. District Administrator Markus Bauer comments: “Through our day-to-day work, we ensure the provision of essential public services in many areas. And together, we want to develop the region into a more attractive place to live, do business and conduct research. This requires committed people and new perspectives. And committed, open-minded and responsible staff.”