Boom in Care Assistants in Training: Hesse Steps Up
A higher number of individuals are applying for the nursing training program - Increased focus on nurse education and training
Hey there!
The training pool for care professionals in Hesse is swelling. Make no mistake, the word's out from senior minister Diana Stolz (CDU), shed in Wiesbaden after a nudge from independent state parliamentarian, Sascha Herr. Here's the skinny: in 2024, around 3,600 new care trainees kicked off their career across the state - that's a whopping 11% more than the year prior.
Why the sudden surge? Stolz has an answer: the hike in school fee allowance from 6,387 euros to 6,930 euros per trainee, kicking in October 2024, seems to be a big part of the incentive for folks choosing elder care as a profession.
But it ain't just about the money. Since the 2020/2021 school year, there's been a thing called "Care in Hesse integrated!" - a project offering part-time vocational training and prep for elderly care assistants. The aim? Making it easier for folks to break into caring professions, especially those who don't have a secondary school diploma or need language support. It's a team effort between vocational schools, nursing schools, and care facilities, ol' Stolz told us. The catch? Participants can scoop up a secondary school diploma and a first professional qualification in elder care. Sweet deal, huh?
Now, you might be wondering, why the fascination with elder care in Hesse? Here's the long and short of it: first off, the population is aging, and the number of elderly needing care ain't slowing down any time soon. Coupled with the shortage of skilled workers in nursing homes, it's adding up to some real challenges for Hesse's nursing homes, and the costs and red tape ain't helping either.
P.S. - In case you're curious, I dug up a few tidbits:
- The German dual vocational education and training system is popular, blending theory with practice in various professions, including healthcare.
- Demand for skilled workers is on the rise in Germany, especially in healthcare due to shortages and demographic shifts.
- "Care in Hesse integrated!" could focus on improving training, integrating care services, and addressing regional needs to enhance elder care. But remember, this is all just the tip of the iceberg; I'm just feeding you the juiciest bits!
The community policy in Hesse has been emphasizing vocational training, particularly in the field of elder care, through projects like "Care in Hesse integrated!" aimed at education-and-self-development and personal-growth, enabling individuals to engage in learning opportunities that lead to a secondary school diploma and a first professional qualification. This focus on vocational training, coupled with an incentive like the increased school fee allowance, might contribute to the booming number of care trainees in the state.
