OBKarriere 2026: very positive response to the new format The study and career orientation fair of the district was held on a weekday for the first time.

Oberbergischer Kreis. With around 2,000 interested visitors, this year's OBKarriere sets a participation record. With 85 exhibitors, the fair once again offered students (secondary level II), parents, and teachers the opportunity to directly learn about professional and academic study and training opportunities from regional companies, institutions, as well as universities and colleges.

Various formats for multiple target groups

Students also had the opportunity to attend various sample lectures at the TH Köln – Campus Gummersbach. This allowed them to gain first insights into university life, experience lectures live, and learn how studying at a university works.

For parents who could not personally attend the fair due to their professional commitments, a digital information offering was available. This provided an overview of what parents should know about financing after obtaining their Fachabitur or Abitur and the available financial support options for training and studies. Experts from the Employment Agency and the BaföG office provided information as speakers.

The concept

Regional companies/institutions and nearby universities and colleges provided information about training, dual studies, studies, and voluntary services. In this way, the Oberberg economic location becomes visible to students. Training in the Oberbergischer Kreis is offered in 150 different occupational profiles.

Visiting the fair was free of charge and possible without registration.

For parents who could not personally attend the fair due to their professional commitments, a digital information offering was available. This provided an overview of what parents should know about financing after obtaining their Fachabitur or Abitur and the available financial support options for training and studies. Experts from the Employment Agency and the BaföG office provided information as speakers.

Students also had the opportunity to attend various sample lectures at the TH Köln – Campus Gummersbach. This allowed them to gain first insights into university life, experience lectures live, and learn how studying at a university works.

The schools supported the participation in the OBKarriere and organized it differently depending on the grade level – ranging from mandatory participation to voluntary participation with corresponding exemption. To enable as many students as possible from the Oberbergischer Kreis to participate, buses were provided by the Municipal Coordination Office Transition School – Career/Studies for the journey of the fair visitors.

For District Administrator Klaus Grootens, the strong visitor numbers this year once again confirm the importance of continuously developing the OBKarriere and showcasing how attractive the Oberbergischer Kreis is as a (work) region: “The OBKarriere offers students a great opportunity to get an overview of the diverse (dual) training and study opportunities in the Oberbergischer Kreis. It is important to me that young people discover their interests and strengths and find a profession that suits them. They don't necessarily have to move away for this: Even those who initially leave the Oberbergischer Kreis for studies can find attractive employers and good perspectives for their career path here.”

In addition, the Oberbergischer Kreis aims to provide tailored support for young people in the region during their career choice, says Frank Herhaus, Department Head for Planning, Regional Development, Environment, and Economic Development: “The goal is to offer students of all school types good study and career orientation and thus create a foundation for qualified professionals in the region. We accompany the structured transition from school to career/studies in the Oberbergischer Kreis through intensive collaboration between the Municipal Coordination Office and numerous involved partners.”

The Oberbergischer Kreis was represented with a total of four booths at the OBKarriere fair to present training paths in administration, emergency medical services and at AGewiS.

Organization of the OBKarriere:

The OBKarriere is organized by the Municipal Coordination Office Transition School - Career/Studies, which is tasked with implementing the state initiative "No Graduation Without Transition" in the Oberbergischer Kreis. All measures in the field of career and study orientation and in the transition system involving external partners are consolidated at the municipal level and processes coordinated.

The steering group of the Municipal Coordination Office Transition School - Career/Studies is the Oberberg Training Initiative (AiO), which consists of representatives from all labor and training market-relevant institutions in the Oberbergischer Kreis.

Information about the study and career orientation fair OBKarriere can be found at www.OBKarriere.de.

Further information on the topic “Transition School – Career/Studies” is available at www.bildung-in-oberberg.de.