Other guests included Jens Metzger, Member of the State Parliament, District Administrator Stefan Bär, and Mayors André Kielack (Gosheim) and Gerhard Reichegger (Wehingen). The educational partners were represented by Philipp Lehmann, Principal of Gymnasium Gosheim-Wehingen, Volker Jauch, Principal of Erwin-Teufel-Schule Spaichingen, and Philipp Hilsenbek, Deputy Chief Executive of the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Anton Häring KG was represented by President, Miriam Häring, and Technical and Industrial Apprenticeship Manager, Markus Schreijäg.
AbiturPlus is a joint educational program developed by Gymnasium Gosheim-Wehingen, Anton Häring KG, Erwin-Teufel-Schule Spaichingen, and the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK). Over the course of the four-year program, from grades 8 to 11, students can obtain an IHK-recognized vocational qualification as a cutting machine operator alongside their regular school education. Ten students, representing approximately one quarter of their grade, have joined the first AbiturPlus cohort. The program also aims to inspire young people to develop an early interest in technology and STEM-related careers while providing them with practical insights into industrial operations. Students experience how academic knowledge is applied in practice, gain early guidance for their future career choices, and further develop both their technical and personal skills. The technical classroom instruction takes place at Gymnasium Gosheim-Wehingen and is delivered by teachers from Erwin-Teufel-Schule Spaichingen, while the practical training is provided by Anton Häring KG. The Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce is responsible for conducting the vocational examinations and supporting the program’s quality assurance.
A distinctive feature of the Heuberg Model is that the educational concept has been specifically developed to enable its implementation at a state school for the first time. To achieve this, the concept was further refined and coordinated with the relevant authorities, including the regional administrative authority (Regierungspräsidium).
At the beginning of the visit, Miriam Häring, introduced the educational program. The participating project partners then provided insights into their collaboration and shared their experiences with the implementation of AbiturPlus to date. Discussions focused in particular on how academic education, technical qualifications, and practical training within a company can be effectively integrated.
A key focus of the visit was the personal exchange with the students participating in AbiturPlus. During a tour of the Anton Häring Academy for Education and Further Training, Minister Andreas Jung gained insights into the practical training program. The students shared their experiences so far, talked about their practical training days, and discussed their personal expectations. Minister Andreas Jung was impressed: “AbiturPlus is an impressive example of how academic education and practical vocational training can be meaningfully combined. I particularly enjoyed the direct exchange with the young participants. Their commitment demonstrates the opportunities that arise when schools and businesses work together to explore new approaches.”
"The fact that a program like this was developed here in the Heuberg region demonstrates what can be achieved when strong local partners take responsibility. That is why it was important to me to personally introduce AbiturPlus to Minister Andreas Jung and give him the opportunity to engage directly with the students and the participating partners. I am particularly pleased that one of his first visits to our region brought him to Bubsheim," says Guido Wolf, Member of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament.
In addition to regular school lessons, the program includes one extra afternoon per week dedicated to technical instruction and at least 30 flexibly scheduled practical training days per year at Anton Häring KG. In grade 11, participants take their IHK vocational examinations.
"AbiturPlus thrives on the close cooperation of all the partners involved and, above all, on the young people who are willing to take on this additional challenge with great commitment. We are especially pleased that Minister Andreas Jung took the time to gain firsthand insights into the program and engage so with the participating students," says Miriam Häring.
The visit also provided the project partners with an opportunity to present their experiences with AbiturPlus to date and exchange views on the integration of academic and vocational education. Another key topic was how to inspire young people to develop an early interest in technology and STEM-related careers and how to support them in their transition from school into professional life.