The MINT Rally is a popular format for fostering real-world collaboration between business and education. The aim is to help young people discover their talents and pursue careers with a future. Companies visit schools for a morning to introduce themselves, their professions and (dual) degree programmes through practical workshops. The STEM Rally is registered as a trademark with the German Patent and Trademark Office.

Why it’s worth it: 

• Trainees provide insights into their day-to-day work
• Companies establish early contacts with potential future employees and boost their visibility as employers
• Pupils can try out their own skills
• Internships and apprenticeship places are available on the spot

STEM Portal Dates for 2026 

A WESt partnership brings together businesses, schools and clubs in a long-term, needs-based collaboration. The content is entirely up to you – ranging from projects and workshops to career guidance initiatives.

Why it’s worth it:

• New partnerships – simple and straightforward
• Joint planning of activities based on your own ideas and capabilities
• Sustainable collaboration between participants
• The WESt partnership is formalised with a partnership certificate
• A seal is provided for public relations purposes

Overview of WESt sponsorships

The WESt Practical Workshop offers teachers authentic insights into everyday working life and a hands-on experience of apprenticeship-based careers. As key influencers in career and study guidance, they can then integrate the knowledge they have gained into their teaching in a targeted manner, thereby providing pupils with tailored support.

Why it’s worthwhile:

• Building a strong and sustainable network with schools through close cooperation and constructive dialogue

• Practical and engaging exercises for integration into lessons support pupils in their career and study choices
   

  
  Overview of WESt practical workshops  

  Concept template

The WESt Workshop brings schools directly into companies and provides practical insights into STEM careers. These opportunities can also be used as part of career exploration.

Why it’s worthwhile:

• Strengthening the network between companies and potential future employees to establish lasting contacts
• Pupils learn about careers or (dual) degree programmes directly within the company through site visits, workshops or laboratory visits

WESt-Werkstatt programmes

With funding from the North Rhine-Westphalia Regional Directorate of the Federal Employment Agency and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (each contributing half), extracurricular zdi-BSO-MINTplus initiatives are being implemented in partnership with external organisations in the Steinfurt district, with the aim of inspiring the skilled employees and talents of tomorrow through hands-on experiences today.

Why it’s worthwhile:

• Young people are inspired by STEM subjects in a practical way and introduced to technical and scientific career fields at an early age
• Targeted support for talent in the Steinfurt district creates a strong foundation for the skilled employees of tomorrow
• Collaboration with external organisations, businesses and educational institutions creates sustainable networks between schools and industry

Module criteria

The ‘Richtungswechsel’ project is aimed at students who are unsure about their studies or have dropped out, and helps them discover new educational and career opportunities. By creating transparency within the education system and specifically promoting dual study programmes as the training pathways of the future, the project connects companies with suitable talent. Dual study programmes are already well-established in many companies and enable the training of qualified specialists, as well as helping to retain them within the company in the long term. WESt is an associate project partner.

Why it’s worth it:

• Companies reach motivated students who are unsure about their studies or have dropped out, who want to work in a practical environment and offer great potential for your company
• Dual study programmes combine theory and practice – ensuring that young talent is trained to the exact requirements and retained by your company at an early stage
• Companies benefit from the project network, increase their visibility as an attractive training provider and establish early contacts with suitable candidates

Project Change of Direction