CONTACTA HochFranken 2025 is entering its 16th round with a significantly expanded concept and once again clearly sets itself apart from traditional careers and training fairs. From September 23 to 25, the unique leading platform for career orientation at Hof University of Applied Sciences will offer pupils targeted information, contacts and guidance to help them actively shape their professional future.
From 2025, CONTACTA HochFranken will offer a structured three-stage format for the first time, which is tailored precisely to years 11, 12 and 13. The background to this program expansion is the structural strengthening of vocational orientation in the new CurriculumPLUS for Bavarian grammar schools. The aim is to help pupils recognize their individual strengths at an early stage, make informed decisions and at the same time gain insights into which skills are in demand regionally. This benefits young people and companies alike:
- Year 11: Initial insights into professional fields and direct contact with around 90 regional companies and institutions for internships, vacation jobs or P-seminar collaborations.
- Year 12: Personal reflection on individual interests and strengths in dialog with real career biographies, in particular through over 60 practical presentations by experienced managers.
- Year 13: Targeted preparation for studies and applications in the exclusive “University life live” program with authentic insights, practical assistance with study courses, financing options and international experience.
Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Chairwoman of Business at the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Hof network, emphasizes:
‘The new three-stage concept is closely aligned with the LehrplanPLUS curriculum and supports schools and teachers in optimally preparing young people for their professional future. CONTACTA thus stands for an innovative and unique offer that builds practical bridges between schools and business and has a lasting impact on career guidance in the region.”
Dr. Dorothee Strunz
Special highlight: careers information through ServiceClubs
A central element of the event is the careers information provided by regional service clubs. Leading personalities report authentically on their individual career paths and are available to students for personal discussions and questions.
Kick-off with high-quality teacher training and award ceremony
CONTACTA will kick off on September 23 at 4:00 p.m. with an exclusive teacher training session. Dr. Edith Wölfl, special education teacher with a focus on social and emotional development from Munich, will speak on the important topic of “Making children resilient – resilience at school”.
Afterwards, from 18:00, the official kick-off event will take place with a welcome from Dr. Dorothee Strunz, Chairwoman of Business at the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Hof network, and University President Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann. The highlight is the awarding of outstanding P-seminars by the Hochfranken business initiative.
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann, President of Hof University of Applied Sciences, explains:
‘CONTACTA is a meeting place where education, business and society come together at eye level. For us as a university, it is a great pleasure to offer this framework and to support young people in developing their potential.”
Prof. Dr. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Lehmann
Extensive program with a strong practical focus
Over 1,200 pupils from 13 schools in the Hochfranken region will benefit from a wide range of practical offers over the two days of the event. In addition to around 90 regional exhibitors, over 110 practice-oriented presentations will offer in-depth insights into a total of 35 professional fields, supplemented by guided tours of the laboratories and technical facilities at Hof University of Applied Sciences.
CONTACTA HochFranken is a joint initiative of the SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT Hof network and Hof University of Applied Sciences. It is supported by the Upper Franconian Rotary and Lions Clubs as well as the Soroptimist Club International Hof/Saale.
Further information and complete program: www.contacta-hochfranken.de
