The "Factory of the Future" enters the next round - project extension until the end of 2027

Good news for young new immigrants in Offenbach: the "Future Factory" project - formerly "Qualification and Employment of Young People" (QuB) - of the City of Offenbach's school-to-work transition management is entering its next round. Funding has been extended so that the program will now continue until the end of 2027.

The "Future Factory" supports young people in the transition from school to training or the world of work. The focus of the project remains the same in the new funding phase: The focus is on targeted language support and practical career guidance, with participants receiving individual support based on their personal needs.

In German lessons, participants have the opportunity to improve their language skills and obtain a recognized language certificate at level A2 or B1. The examination is carried out in cooperation with the Offenbach Adult Education Center, and the costs for the examination are covered by the "Zukunftsfabrik". Since the beginning of the year, lessons have been held in tandem by an experienced language specialist and a learning guide. This means that the different learning levels of the young people can be addressed more individually and there is more room to deepen the learning content.

The project also offers careers guidance in easy language, help with application documents and support in finding internships and apprenticeships. Practical experience, company visits and internships enable young people to get to know different professional fields and discover their own strengths. The internships are accompanied by socio-educational support - from preparation and implementation to joint reflection.

Another component is the so-called skills workshop, in which participants acquire important career-relevant skills, such as using digital programs, writing emails and letters, as well as teamwork exercises. The program is supplemented by experiential educational activities such as excursions, which strengthen group cohesion and social skills.

The educational team attaches great importance to flexible content that is geared towards the needs of the young people. "The young people always bring different experiences, language levels and goals with them. That's why we are constantly adapting our content," explains social scientist Sadia Hübsch. Her colleague, ethnologist Jakob Wolf, adds: "It is precisely this flexibility that is our strength. We respond to what the participants need." The third member of the team is social worker Franziska Breitbach, who emphasizes: "We don't work according to a rigid concept, but develop the offer together with the young people. This is how we ensure that the support really gets through."

The extension of the "Future Factory" secures an important offer for young people in Offenbach. The project thus continues to make a decisive contribution to equal opportunities and the successful integration of young people into training and employment. The City of Offenbach's school-to-work transition management team also welcomes existing and new contacts with companies and businesses that would like to pursue this path together in the form of various cooperation opportunities. The "Future Factory" project is funded as part of the "Qualification and Employment of Young People (QuB)" program - an initiative of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) to support young people in the transition from school to work.