PEF In Germany
In Germany, PEF is working with Isabelle Probstel of APAX in Munich and with the Forum for Active Philanthropy , a charitable platform for families and individuals interested or already engaged in philanthropy. Set up in 2006, Active Philanthropy is based in Berlin and has already developed a strong reputation for helping donors to develop and implement their personal giving strategy.
Click here for more information about PEF’s plans for investing in Europe.
PEF’s first German investment: Hamburger Hauptschulmodell
HHM was created in 2000 by the Hamburg business community which wanted to ensure a more successful school–work transition of students that graduate from the Hauptschule (basic education school).
The HHM is the bridge-builder in the school-work transition, coordinating the efforts of 90+ Hauptschulen, the local job agency and the business community. It oversees a three step process:
- Hauptschule: Teachers, trained by HHM, work with each student due to leave school that year, to establish their interests and career goals.
- Job Agency: Students then meet with job counsellors at the Job Agency to discuss the kind of apprenticeships that are available, and what skills are necessary.
- Business Mentors: Once a student has a clear sense of what they want to do, the students meet up with an HR professional from a local business. These mentors conduct mock job interviews, check their written applications, coach them on the dress code for a job interview and offer further help if needed.
The results of all three steps are tracked in a data base and the contacts between the three actors are coordinated by the HHM. The HHM tries to get in touch with all potential graduates to make them aware of their services (flyers, phone calls, etc.). They offer all students the opportunity to talk with the HHM counsellors to refine their applications and help them locate apprenticeship positions. These services are currently used by more than 1000 students every year.
