ESF Funding Guideline Vocational Education – STEM Career Orientation

The ESF Funding Guideline Vocational Education – STEM Career Orientation supports projects that promote in-depth career orientation in commercial-technical and scientific training occupations. The program targets educational institutions and public bodies in Hesse that develop innovative measures going beyond the usual offerings of school career counseling. A focus is placed on supporting students from the 7th grade onwards, particularly young people from secondary modern and intermediate schools, young people with a migration background, as well as young women. Funding is granted as a subsidy covering up to 90 percent of eligible expenses – including project staff, administrative flat rates, and material costs. Special emphasis is placed on supra-regional to statewide implementation in order to establish model concepts and set sustainable impulses in career orientation.

The funding program aims to facilitate the transition from school to work and to strengthen the training readiness and application skills of the target groups. Measures should enable realistic practical insights while simultaneously promoting personality development and professional competence. The interventions go far beyond classic career counseling offerings and are designed to integrate contemporary topics such as digitalization, sustainability, and climate and environmental protection. Through the targeted use of innovative methods, young people are systematically introduced to the diverse opportunities in the STEM field. Support is provided within a structured application procedure, in which a detailed concept including a thorough description of the planned work steps, outcomes, personnel and task planning, as well as a schedule, expenditure, and financing plan, must be submitted.

The financial support underscores the commitment of the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas in cooperation with the European Social Fund. By providing subsidies, a high-quality and inclusive vocational education is ensured, which not only strengthens the regional economy but also sustainably improves the future prospects of young people. The program thus provides an important impetus for securing skilled labor in Hesse and promotes innovation-driven change in vocational education. With its clearly defined target group and specific funding requirements, this initiative makes a significant contribution to optimizing vocational training and further education and to securing competitiveness in a dynamic labor market.