Greetings on the 2024 opportunity

The trade fair, which is dedicated to job and career topics, is aptly named: Opportunity. Those with a good education and skills have always had good opportunities in their professional life, and our country offers these opportunities today more than ever. Specialists are in demand in business and public administration. The success of Hesse, Germany and the European Union is largely based on the performance of employees in companies and administration. The knowledge and skills that each and every individual possesses not only secure their personal existence, but also that of the companies and our country.

At almost every stage of professional life, both at the beginning and later on, it can be important to gain a broader overview of the world of work and its opportunities. It can also be important for employers to introduce themselves to potential applicants. Events such as the "Chance" trade fair in Giessen offer a platform for this. I am delighted to be able to express my solidarity with the fair again this year.

I wish all guests and exhibitors the best of luck and success.

Boris Rhein
Minister President of the State of Hesse

Well-qualified skilled workers are our country's capital. For this reason, the shortage of skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges of our time. The effects of the economic and ecological transformation, increasing digitalization and the issue of sustainability are presenting vocational education and training with unprecedented challenges. At the same time, they offer a unique opportunity to give it the social status it deserves again, as vocational education and training can make a substantial contribution to solving the tasks that need to be tackled. For this to succeed, however, we need enough well-qualified young skilled workers. However, current developments on the training market give rise to fears that young people's demand for vocational training will continue to decline, which will further increase the problem of skilled workers in the future. It is therefore essential to attract more young women and men to the dual vocational training system. In order for this to succeed, we must above all promote a society-wide understanding of the equal value of vocational and academic education.

The chances of young people finding a suitable apprenticeship are better than ever. However, it is important that potential trainees find out in good time about the wide range of opportunities that dual training has to offer. Unfortunately, many people are not aware that training is not a dead end, but that all doors are open after successful completion: Starting with a wide range of further training opportunities through to dual study programs. In addition to internships, trade fairs such as Chance are a particularly good opportunity for this. Personal contact with a potential employer can be your ticket into the company. The training market is increasingly developing into an applicant market. Accordingly, companies must increasingly recruit trainees in order to fill their training positions. In this context, I would like to appeal to companies to be open to applicants who are not the best candidates at first glance. In return, I would ask young people to be open to unfamiliar job profiles.

The fact is that dual training is and will remain a successful model. So everyone should seize the "opportunity" here and now.

Rainer Schwarz
President of the Giessen-Friedberg Chamber of Industry and Commerce

Dear visitors to Chance 2024,

I would like to welcome you to Giessen for Hessen's largest trade fair for jobs and careers.

What could be more fitting than to hold Chance in January, when the new year and its opportunities are still open before us? This year's motto "Shaping your own future" can also serve as a good resolution for the new year - especially for anyone who is just looking to enter the world of work, re-enter it or reorient themselves professionally.

However, "shaping your own future" is also an invitation to become clear about your personal goals and take control of your own career. This is not always an easy task given the wide range of opportunities offered by today's world of work. So it's all the better that the Chance can provide both inspiration and guidance at . Lectures, seminars and workshops with high-profile and interesting speakers provide a valuable overview and insights - from the wide variety of training professions and fields of study to additional qualifications and further training opportunities, as well as ideas for starting your own business.

At the same time, every year the opportunity is also a showcase for our local economy, its broad diversity, innovative strength and performance. Numerous companies, businesses and institutions take the opportunity to present themselves as attractive employers and training positions - including the University City of Giessen, because we are also convinced of the opportunities that the Chance offers us for recruiting new trainees and skilled workers.

I would like to thank everyone who is involved in this major job and career fair and contributes to its success: Messe Giessen, the fair advisory board, all the organizers and the numerous exhibitors. I wish visitors to this year's Chance interesting insights and suggestions, new helpful contacts and every success in shaping their own future in the new year.

Yours

Frank-Tilo Becher
Lord Mayor of the University City of Giessen

Craftsmanship is a world full of tradition, creativity and dexterity. But why should you start your own professional journey in this sector? There are as many reasons as there are professions in the skilled trades - and there are more than 130 of them. For example, the past few years have shown more than ever that skilled trades in particular make an important contribution to maintaining the central infrastructure. Without the skilled trades, it would not be possible to buy glasses, hearing aids and orthoses, repair a bicycle or vehicle, go to the bakery or butcher, clean hospitals and doctors' surgeries, maintain cooling systems and air conditioning, carry out emergency sanitation work, continue building homes and digital infrastructure and much more. What's more, products and services created and offered by the skilled trades are not just made for tomorrow: they are created to last and in some cases even outlast generations. This makes the skilled crafts sector a climate protector by nature. And while we're on the subject of the climate, the energy transition will only be possible with the skilled trades and if we tackle the issues of our time, i.e. "install instead of demonstrate". This currently includes all tasks that are dedicated to the transition to renewable energies, such as the increased installation of photovoltaic systems and heat pumps, the energy-efficient refurbishment of houses or saving energy by setting up smart homes.

Especially in these uncertain and turbulent times, dual training offers young people future-proof and challenging professions with excellent training and career opportunities. After all, the path that begins with an apprenticeship in the skilled trades is certainly not a dead end, but can quickly lead to becoming a journeyman, master craftsman, company owner or university. As you can see: There are no limits to a career with an apprenticeship. As one in five skilled crafts businesses in Hesse will be due to be handed over in the next ten years, I can assure you at this point with complete conviction: The time for an apprenticeship in the skilled trades has never been better.

The Wiesbaden Chamber of Skilled Crafts wishes all visitors, as well as all the companies represented, an informative and successful Chance 2024 - together with the very best wishes for the still young year.

Sincerely

Stefan Füll
President of the Wiesbaden Chamber of Skilled Crafts

Dear guests of Chance 2024,

What do I want to be? Do I want to study or earn my own money with an apprenticeship? What are the possibilities and requirements? Many paths lead into professional life. After leaving school, young people are faced with important and by no means easy decisions; they have to answer many questions for themselves individually. Chance provides answers to these questions.

It is not always easy to find the right one, especially due to the large selection of training occupations and courses of study. Only those who inform themselves actively, comprehensively and practically can make a suitable choice. It is precisely for this initial orientation on the way to the new phase of life that Chance offers excellent opportunities.

The trade fair in the Hessenhallen will provide interested parties with comprehensive first-hand information, the opportunity to talk to advice and HR professionals and get background and insider knowledge on the individual professions, courses of study and application procedures. Companies also have the opportunity to convince skilled workers of their merits. A win-win situation for everyone involved. However, the exhibitors at Chance also offer information on further training, specialization and self-employment for people who are already working.

Over 200 exhibitors from Central Hessen and the district of Giessen, including well-known companies and institutions as well as universities and universities of applied sciences, will be on site. The district administration of Giessen is also taking part in this year's Chance to present training opportunities in the modern service company of the district administration with over 1000 employees. Perhaps you would be a good fit for our team? Come and find out more at our stand.

I am delighted that this fair attracts so many young people year after year. Perhaps you will also be there this year. Take advantage of the opportunities, let us advise and inspire you. Take "your chance".

Anita Schneider,
District Administrator