On 29 October, the STAY2GROW project, funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, held a public launch event at the Schirrhof in Kamp-Lintfort to initiate ideas for the holistic integration of international students and to make securing skilled workers in the wir4 region – Moers, Kamp-Lintfort, Neukirchen-Vluyn and Rheinberg. Almost 100 participants from regional companies, Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences, employment agencies, associations and initiatives, as well as from the student body itself, followed the call to actively participate in the development of suitable solutions.

Holding young international professionals in the region

Young internationals make up around half of all students at Rhine-Waal University of Applied Sciences. Although the majority of graduates remain in Germany after completing their studies, and most of them stay in North Rhine-Westphalia, this potential pool of young professionals has not yet been fully exploited in the wir4 region. This is exactly where STAY2GROW comes in: the aim is to develop a concept for networking these talented individuals locally at an early stage and in a sustainable manner, attracting them to regional companies and retaining them in the long term.

In her welcoming speech, Barbara Drese (SPD), Deputy Mayor of Kamp-Lintfort, emphasised the great potential that lies in working together: ‘We now have the opportunity to really make a difference. All of us. Together. For the students who want to stay and work here, as well as for the companies that depend on qualified young talent.’

Interactive ideas for personal connections and career perspectives in the region

After a brief introduction to the key findings of the needs assessments conducted among companies and students, the event focused on interactive idea development. The attendees worked in small groups to develop concrete proposals for measures in three key areas of action:

• Social participation: Connecting students more closely with local societies through cultural, sporting and voluntary activities, thereby offering them a social environment.

• Advice: A network that facilitates access to regional companies for students and helps those who drop out of university to find career opportunities.

• Offers for companies: Removing barriers to the employment of international students, for example through cross-company language courses or the establishment of a regional corporate network of ‘international professionals’.

Working together for a second project phase

The large number of guests and the associated high level of interest in the project confirms that the STAY2GROW team is on the right track. ‘Today's event shows us that we have clearly struck a chord. We have set the right priorities,’ says Beate Träm, managing director of the wir4-Agentur für Wirtschafts- und Strukturförderung, where the project is being developed.

The success of the project and the prospect of further three-year funding for the implementation of the measures depend largely on a strong, sustainable network of regional partners. The kick-off forum has already attracted several new players to join the project. Approaches that the participants now want to develop further together include, for example, the design of a central communication channel that bundles all relevant information on the three topics for students and companies. Another goal is to create a space for students and companies to meet and seek advice. In addition, cultural and sporting activities offered by and for the local communities are to be networked with the university, and new formats are to be created. The participants agreed that language promotion and exchange is a central issue that must be taken into account in all concepts. These ideas will be structured and further developed over the coming months with the participation of all stakeholders.

STAY2GROW invites all interested parties – students, companies, associations, initiatives and citizens – to actively participate in shaping this important project to secure professionals in the wir4 region.

Would you like to get involved, share ideas or become a partner?
Please contact the project management team:

• Jasmin Frischemeier
  j.frischemeier@wir4.net
• Josephine Runge
  josephine.runge@wir4.net