Revealing the undiscovered availability of skilled workers in the Mainfranken region
New perspectives for securing the availability of skilled workers: On 1 July, an innovative project started at the Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) to link international dropouts with small and medium-sized enterprises from the region and thus create new educational paths.
The CraftTURN project (Students become Skilled Craftsmen – Transition and Upskilling Route in a Network) is directed at international students who are doubting their choice of degree programme and are considering dropping out of their studies or who have already dropped out. The aim of the project is to open up new career prospects for this target group and, at the same time, to effectively counteract the regional shortage of skilled workers in Mainfranken.
International students carry potential
In recent years, the number of international students in Germany has risen significantly. This development also shows at THWS: Of the approximately 9,100 students enrolled, nearly 2,700 come from abroad, corresponding to almost 30 per cent of
all students. Many of them are studying in technically oriented degree programmes.
“This target group in particular faces special challenges“, explains Professor Dr. Silke Neuderth of the Faculty of Applied Social Sciences. “Language barriers, performance problems, lack of social networks or psychosocial stress can lead to doubts about studying and sometimes to dropping out.” For students, this often means losing their residence permit, and for Germany, it means losing highly motivated young talent with academic knowledge. A significant proportion of international students express a desire to remain in Germany and establish a career here.
Regional companies are urgently looking for new workers
At the same time, the shortage of skilled workers in Mainfranken has been worsening for years. According to the Federal Employment Agency, around 1,113 training positions remained unfilled in the Schweinfurt labour market region (as of 2025). Technical professions such as mechatronics, automotive mechatronics, industrial mechanics, metal construction and warehouse logistics are particularly affected. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are feeling the effects particularly keenly: unfilled positions are slowing down growth and competitiveness. In addition, many companies have been hesitant to respond to international applicants, not least because of language barriers or bureaucratic hurdles.
This means that two developments are at odds with each other: a shortage of skilled workers and students who drop out of their studies or are at risk of being de-registered. It is important to promote individual development paths for as long as possible and desired in order to find the much-cited “match” between companies and future employees, says Professor Dr. Andreas Schiffler. “This is an almost untapped field at THWS when it comes to actively supporting dropouts”
This is where the CraftTURN project comes in: Its aim is to attract international students who are unsure about their studies or have dropped out to pursue vocational training and secure them as skilled workers for the Mainfranken region. To achieve this, international students at THWS must be informed about these training opportunities. On the other hand, regional companies must be made aware of this potential and also get to know suitable applicants through low-threshold offers. Finally, integration support for students is also needed in the form of advisory offers and guidance. The CraftTURN team suggests workshop projects, gamified career simulations, and social media campaigns as possible ways of achieving this.
The project is funded by the Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth as part of the JOBvision initiative. The project is being carried out by the Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB). The project will run from July 2025 to June 2028. CraftTURN is an interdisciplinary project that benefits from the experience of the Institute of Digital Engineering (IDEE) and the Institute of Applied Social Sciences (IFAS).
About THWS
The Technical University of Applied Sciences Würzburg-Schweinfurt (THWS) is one of the largest universities of applied sciences in Bavaria and has driven teaching and applied research since it was founded in 1971. With about 9,000 students, a wide range of more than 60 degree programmes, and two doctoral centers, THWS covers a broad spectrum ranging from technology to economics and social sciences, language and design. THWS is not only rooted in the region, but also has a strong international focus, which is reflected in numerous collaborations and exchange programmes worldwide and not least in a versatile English-taught degree programmes.
Contact:
Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Projekt CraftTURN
Silvan Renz
Ignaz-Schön-Str. 11
97421 Schweinfurt
Press contact:
Technische Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt
Angela Kreipl
Münzstr. 12
97070 Würzburg
+49 931 3511-8354