It all began 35 years ago in June with a single training programme commissioned by the employment services. Today, the Fürstenwalde Training Centre, run by Kolping Bildung Deutschland, is one of the most important partners for education and integration in Eastern Brandenburg – offering programmes in joint vocational training, language and integration support, and career guidance for young people. The team is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year.
The history of the centre is closely linked to the transformation of Eastern Brandenburg following reunification. Just one year after it opened in 1991, the first premises had become too small, so a move to larger premises followed. Since 2001, the education centre has been based at Julius-Pintsch-Ring – and from there it has continued to expand further into the region.
“Over the past 35 years, our training centre has repeatedly adapted to new challenges,” says Annegret Steller, who has been the centre’s manager in Fürstenwalde since 2008. “What has remained constant is our aim: to support people in developing career prospects and improving their opportunities for participation.”
What may initially sound like a general aim has very concrete consequences for the region: Many participants find a place on a vocational training course or in employment after completing their qualifications – and remain rooted in East Brandenburg in the long term. In this way, the training centre makes a tangible contribution to securing a skilled workforce and to local social cohesion.
Standing still is not an option for the Education Centre team: “The demands on education and training are constantly changing. That is why we are continually developing our programmes. In the coming years, we would particularly like to further expand our joint vocational training and school support programmes,” says Annegret Steller, looking to the future.
The staff at the Education Centre celebrated its 35th anniversary with a team-building day – deliberately low-key, but with a clear focus: on the people who have shaped the Education Centre over the years and made its development possible in the first place.
Today, the Fürstenwalde Education Centre stands for continuity, adaptability – and the conviction that education opens up opportunities, both for individuals and for an entire region.
The Fürstenwalde Education Centre run by Kolping Bildung Deutschland in figures
- Founded: 1991, located at Julius-Pintsch-Ring since 2001
- Team: around 30 staff members, and growing
- Youth services: 2,869 young adults supported, guided and/or trained since the organisation was founded
- Joint training programme: currently around 90 trainees, in cooperation with 20 companies in the region (and rising)
- Language and integration support: since being accredited as a language course provider in 2015, a total of 2,626 participants in integration and literacy courses; 952 participants in the “Deutschtest für Zuwanderer” language examination
- Current course offerings: 7 ongoing integration and German language courses, as well as 5 initial orientation courses in Fürstenwalde, Bad Freienwalde, Eberswalde, Frankfurt (Oder) and Eisenhüttenstadt
- Regional involvement: in the districts of Oder-Spree and Elbe-Elster, we are also actively involved in career guidance, vocational preparation, apprenticeships, school support and inclusion
About Kolping Bildung Deutschland gGmbH
Kolping Bildung Deutschland operates as a regional social education provider with 30 sites in North Rhine-Westphalia, Saarland and Brandenburg, and has stood for experience, expertise and the development of the next generation of skilled workers since 1990. This non-profit organisation offers people of all ages and nationalities a wide range of programmes tailored to their abilities, supporting their personal growth and professional development. The organisation is certified to DIN EN ISO 9001:2015 and AZAV.
Further information on Kolping Bildung Deutschland is available at www.kolping-bildung-deutschland.de
Contact: Julius-Pintsch-Ring 17, 15517 Fürstenwalde, Telephone: 03361 374090