corsus facilitated the landmark conference on sustainable development in trade education: key takeaways from a successful conference

Matthias Kloß from the „Wenn Handwerk dann Innung“ (WHDI) – Education-Ltd und Kai Hünemörder from the Centre of Energy, Water, and Environmental Technology (ZEWU) opened the conference by posing the pivotal question:  “How can the trade sector be made more attractive to young people?”. In her presentation, Barbara Hemkes from the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung) emphasised that the standard occupational profile “Environmental Protection and Sustainability” provides a key opportunity to systematically and bindingly integrate sustainability across all vocational education and training programs. Funded by Hambourg’s Masterplan Education for Sustainable Development 2030, the conference delivered further essential insights: first, a toolkit for trainers and trainees was presented by developer Prof. Dr. Werner Kuhlmeier der Universität Hamburg. In addition, the six-part webinar series “BBNE-konkret”, led by Izabela Czarnojan of rePACKtheBAG, also provided valuable insights for the four World Café stops.

During the World Café, four fascinating topics were presented and discussed by experts and practitioners: Björn von Kleist and Andy Loos (LI) demonstrated how the concept of climate schools and climate protection plans can also be utilised by businesses while highlighting the resulting synergies. Once again, the toolkit for apprentices was supplemented with practical ideas for implementation. Kai Hünemörder and Hermann Hientzsch (apprentice at the Hamburg Chamber of Crafts) addressed the topic of “creating meaning and giving career guidance” and discussed how young people can be involved in climate-related trades in the long-term. Gaby Kaufmann und Thomas Mönkemeyer from the Beruflichen Schule Holz, Farbe, Textil (B25) demonstrated how carpentry apprentices can integrate small furniture into a circular cycle of procurement and design.

Dr Anke Butscher successfully facilitated the collective exchange on the outcomes of the World Café and managed to weave these into an inspiring overall picture. The conference showed that education for sustainable development in trade is more than just a theme for the future; instead, it is already being practised – a crucial step towards a sustainable future.

corsus was delighted to support and facilitate this important conference and to contribute to sustainable development and education in the trade sector.