Securing the workforce

The Social Services Network is part of the Fulda District’s skilled workforce strategy and is aimed at regional stakeholders in the social services sector. The network’s goal is to address the shortage of skilled workers in social services professions and to jointly develop and implement ideas for securing and recruiting skilled workers in the industry. The network also offers a platform for exchange, as well as networking and support services. Through working groups, interested stakeholders have the opportunity to actively work on solutions and jointly implement them.

IdeA – Labor Market Policy Initiatives – a subproject of the
Social Services Network. The IdeA (Labor Market Policy Initiatives) project aims to help people with a migrant background enter the labor market. In the Fulda district, the project was already carried out during the funding period from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2025.

The following support services have been implemented:

• Preparatory Course for Vocational Training in Social Services for People with an Immigrant Background
• Training support for aspiring social service assistants, early childhood educators, and special education aides
• Tutoring for aspiring social service assistants, early childhood educators, and special education aides
• Tutoring for aspiring nursing assistants, geriatric care assistants, and medical care assistants

As part of the preparatory course, a total of 11 individuals were supported on their path to vocational training in social services from September 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. In addition, over the entire project period, more than 100 people pursuing vocational training in nursing or social services received support through training guidance and tutoring.

New Funding Period Starting in January 2026
: The Fulda District has also received a funding commitment for the new funding period from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2028, and is currently planning to continue the programs mentioned. The next preparatory course is scheduled to begin in September 2026. The Fulda district aims to expand its regional outreach efforts in the social services sector to inspire more people to pursue training or a career in the field.

Information for
Those Interested in Apprenticeships: Are you interested in an apprenticeship or a job in social services and would like to learn more about regional organizations or employers in the field? The following list of organizations provides an initial overview:

For more information on training in social services, please visit the Konrad-Zuse-Schule in Hünfeld and the Marienschule in Fulda via the links below.

Series of articles on the district pages:

Project Coordinator and Contact Person:
Carolin Bug
0661

6006-8568carolin.bug@landkreis-fulda.deRobert-Kircher-Straße
2436037 Fulda

The Fulda Care Roundtable is a continuously operating platform for all stakeholders in the regional long-term care sector. Its goal is, on the one hand, to ensure the quality of care and, on the other hand, to improve the overall conditions in the long-term care sector.

Regular participants in the Fulda Care Roundtable meetings include representatives from hospitals, long-term care facilities, home care services, nursing schools, and Fulda University of Applied Sciences.

Key topics addressed by the expert panel:

• Increase the appeal of nursing professions
• bring about an improvement in training conditions
• Improve public relations and networking with regional and national political leaders and other bodies

Special working groups have been formed to address the following topics:

• International Recruitment of Nursing Staff
• Exclusive Responsibilities of Nursing
• Clinical Instruction and Quality of Nursing Education

You can find an informational brochure about training paths in nursing

Contact person and coordinator of the Fulda Care Roundtable:
Michael Bernhard
, 0661

6006-8551pflegetisch@landkreis-fulda.deRobert-Kircher-Straße, 2436037
Fulda

Education coaches support companies and employees in Hesse with continuing professional development by providing advice and guidance. They offer free advice on all continuing professional development initiatives. They serve as points of contact for career-related continuing education counseling for both employees and companies. When needed, they support employees and companies throughout the entire duration of a training program, thereby facilitating the integration of the program into daily work and personal life and increasing the likelihood of successful completion.

Depending on the needs, counseling is provided in person at the provider’s offices, on-site at the company, by phone, and/or via digital communication channels.

The support services provided by ProAbschluss's educational coaches include, among other things:

• Identification of qualifications that are suitable for maintaining or improving the employability of job-seeking employees or the competitiveness of job-seeking companies
• Supporting employees and companies seeking guidance by providing information on job-related continuing education opportunities and helping them find training options tailored to their specific organizational or individual needs
• Advice on suitable funding instruments for financing training projects
• Assessment of Employees' Competencies
• Supporting Employees and Companies During Vocational Training Programs
• Suggestions for optimizing the regional continuing education offerings and participation in regional networking in the field of vocational continuing education

Education Coach:
Monika
Löffler-Friedrich 0661 6006-8218
monika.loeffler-friedrich@landkreis-fulda.de
Robert-Kircher-Straße
24 36037 Fulda

To prevent students from dropping out of nursing training programs, the “Training Support in Nursing” project was launched. Complementing existing school-based programs, it offers comprehensive socio-educational support. This gives trainees the opportunity to confidentially turn to neutral advisors outside the school and workplace environments for help with personal or professional concerns.

We support:

• for matters involving government agencies, institutions, schools, businesses, or third parties
• for psychosocial and mental health challenges
• for a wide variety of personal problems
• Crisis situations and conflict resolution
• If you have questions about financial assistance options (e.g., BAB, housing allowance)

• in one-on-one coaching and self-management, for example on topics such as test anxiety or learning difficulties

Contact person for nursing training support:
Silke
Desel 0151
20049528silke.desel@landkreis-fulda.de

The state program QuABB (Qualified Apprenticeship Support in the Workplace and Vocational School) aims to reduce the dropout rate among apprentices. The goal is to identify problems early on during the apprenticeship so that individualized support can ensure successful completion of the program. Cooperation between trainees, vocational schools, companies, and training support staff is crucial. If dropouts cannot be prevented, suitable follow-up opportunities are identified in consultation with cooperation and network partners.

Regional support services for apprentices are a key component of successful career paths. Between July 2015 and June 2025, a total of 973 cases were recorded, 912 of which were successfully resolved. This brings the success rate to 94 percent—a clear indication that the support services are effective.

The training advisors are represented at the vocational schools as follows:

Richard Müller School,
Fulda, Room
C201, Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Konrad Zuse School,
Hünfeld, Room B0.09, Mondays
from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesdays
by appointment

Ferdinand-Braun SchoolTuesday
through
Thursday9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (Room 1.16)
On Mondays and Fridays, appointments can be made by arrangement.

Training Workshop of the
District Craftsmen's Association—Appointments by arrangement

Eduard Stieler School: Appointments by arrangement

The InteA program (Integration through Enrollment and Graduation) offers students aged 16 and older who are entering the education system for the first time the opportunity to learn German at vocational schools in Hesse and to earn the DSD (German Language Diploma). Currently, InteA students are taught at the Richard-Müller-Schule. There, they have the opportunity to earn their Hauptschule diploma in approximately two school years.

Those affected will receive support:

• Matters involving government agencies
• Employers and third parties
• Arranging Sports and Recreational Activities
• Career Guidance/Coaching
• Personal Problems
• Conflict Resolution and Prevention

BerufsstarkBerufsstark supports adolescents and young adults in overcoming personal and professional challenges and stabilizing their life situations in the long term. The program focuses on individualized support from dedicated case managers who assist with issues such as job applications, dealing with government agencies, finding housing, or coping with crises. In addition, workshops on resilience, self-efficacy, job application skills, and social interaction are offered. The goal is to strengthen personal resources, promote social participation, and improve the conditions for long-term employability.

Anyone can participate,

• anyone who is (primarily) employed in a position subject to mandatory insurance
• Looking for support in everyday life, at work, or in difficult situations

Here's what Berufsstark has to offer:

• Personal support for up to 12 months
• Support with Work, Housing, and Government Agencies
• Help in Crises and Difficult Situations
• Workshops on Resilience and Self-Efficacy
• Strengthening Independence and Future Prospects
• Reliable people you can count on by your side

Appointments with Alisa Gleißner and Nicole König can be scheduled by arrangement.