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46 graduates honored – further education as a career booster and strengthening of the economy
Skills shortages, digitalization, and climate goals pose major challenges for companies in southern Hesse. One solution: advanced vocational training. A celebratory event held by the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) demonstrated how targeted continuing education contributes to securing skilled workers while simultaneously fostering individual careers. On March 21, 46 graduates of advanced training programs were honored for their achievements.
With their degrees in hand, many of the honorees are already assuming key roles in their companies. The Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Darmstadt) emphasizes that Hesse alone will face a shortage of approximately 200,000 skilled workers by 2028 – not only for operational tasks, but also for demanding roles in process management. IHK Vice President Elfi Broschard praises the graduates: "This region is full of high-achievers who can actively shape economic change – from digitalization and climate protection to corporate leadership."
Further education as a career booster
Fritz Robin Hammann is an example of the added value of advanced vocational training. The 35-year-old IT specialist has worked at the tire manufacturer Pirelli in Breuberg since completing his apprenticeship in 2011. With further training as an IT project manager, he aims to make processes more efficient and advance his career: "This will allow me to create career opportunities that I might not have without further training."
Christian Dohr from Usingen also benefited from further training as a business administrator: He rose from clerk to purchasing manager at Canton Elektronik. He particularly benefited from the content on employee management. His goals are ambitious: "I can easily imagine taking over the commercial management or managing director position."
A degree with prospects
More than 2.5 million people in Germany have completed advanced vocational training – and the number is rising. In 2024 alone, the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Darmstadt) administered 1,377 examinations. Nevertheless, the potential remains untapped, according to Broschard: “We need to raise awareness of advanced vocational training – also as an equivalent alternative to university studies. Students should learn early on how practical and successful this path can be.”
At the ceremony in Darmstadt, numerous professional qualifications were recognized, including business administrators, certified specialists, industrial foremen, and IT project managers. The top graduates in each field were also honored separately.
Further information on advanced vocational training in southern Hesse is available from the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK Darmstadt):
👉 www.darmstadt.ihk24.de
Photo: Some of the graduates who passed their advanced training exams at the Darmstadt Chamber of Industry and Commerce. Photo: Markus Schmidt
