No degree without a connection - transition from school to work in NRW (KAoA)

What is "No Diploma Without a Job" all about?

The initiative in North Rhine-Westphalia is called "No Diploma Without a Pathway—Transition from School to Work in NRW." A commonly used abbreviation is "KAoA." All students starting in eighth grade participate in this program.

As part of this State initiative The City of Bochum aims to offer all young people reliable and tailored pathways and opportunities as they transition from school to the workforce. In collaboration with regional partners, existing structures are being reviewed and, where necessary, new programs are being developed. All efforts are also intended to help young people identify their strengths, aptitudes, and interests. Only then can they decide which career path is right for them. That is why early counseling and support for career orientation is provided: by teachers, parents or guardians, and specialized staff—at various locations and at different times.

To support the career guidance process in Bochum, the bulletin board brings together "Dein Weg. Deine Wahl. KAoA in Bochum" Important information about career guidance. It is intended for interested students, parents, and teachers.
This board collects offers and materials from a wide variety of institutions, including universities, counseling centers, companies, municipal agencies, and other career guidance partners. It provides a concise overview of current events, flyers, links, and digital tools.
It helps with:

  • to get an overview of the wide range of offerings

  • find relevant events and information quickly

  • to explore specific paths in vocational training, college, or other options for continuing education

  • Bringing parents and students together to discuss future paths

Career Guidance

For all students in middle school Systematic career guidance begins in the eighth grade. During this process, students’ individual strengths, aptitudes, and interests are identified step by step—regardless of gender. The homeroom teacher at the school organizes the career guidance process.

For young people with (severe) disabilities, entering the workforce is often particularly challenging. If additional support is needed for career guidance, this Information Sheet An initial overview of the funding priorities:

  • Intellectual Development (GG),

  • Hearing and Communication (HK),

  • Physical and Motor Development (PMD),

  • See (SE) and

  • Language (SQ).

For the funding priorities of Learning (LE) and Emotional and Social Development (ESE), this applies only, if in addition, the person has a certified disability rating of at least 50 percent.

For more information about the "STAR – School Meets the Working World" program, please visit the website at Regional Association of Westphalia-Lippe.

Designing Transitions

"No Degree Without a Career Path" is designed to help young people find a clear path to a career that suits them, while avoiding unnecessary detours. In collaboration with stakeholders in Bochum, the municipal coordination office has created a digital bulletin board: "Wege in den Beruf Bochum".

The transitions are examined in terms of:

  • young people interested in vocational training

  • young people who want to earn a higher-level high school diploma

  • Students who want to pursue a college degree

  • young people with additional needs. They receive support from the Employment Agency, the Job Center, and the Youth Welfare Office to help them prepare for a career.

The state of North Rhine-Westphalia provides a good example on its website careers.nrw with the four main categories:

  • Apprenticeship with the State

  • Studying in the State

  • Careers after college

  • Job Market.NRW

Dual Training

Vocational training under the dual system means that the training takes place alternately at the workplace and at a vocational school.

Under certain conditions, completing vocational training can lead to a higher-level school diploma. In addition, dual training offers excellent opportunities for further education or career advancement later on.

Unfortunately, not all students and their parents are aware of these diverse opportunities. That is why the partners in Bochum are working together to develop strategies to raise awareness of the opportunities offered by dual vocational training. Students from all types of schools should at least have explored the field of "dual vocational training." The goal, of course, is to fill apprenticeship positions in fields where a shortage of skilled workers is expected.

Further information can be found at the following locations:

Local Coordination as a Collaborative Process

The state initiative is implemented by the municipalities. In doing so, they play an important role and coordinate efforts through the local coordination offices the local activities. They are funded by state funds and the European Social Fund.

The municipal coordination office is intended to

  • Helping to shape the transition from school to the workforce in a sustainable and systematic way,

  • continue to develop these transitions,

  • Avoid duplicate structures and

  • organize the necessary coordination processes.

Together, all relevant stakeholders develop a shared understanding of how individual responsibilities interact. To this end, the roles of the individual institutions are clarified and agreements are reached. Subsequently, interfaces are optimized and further development processes are initiated. All parties involved retain their institutional legal responsibilities and accountabilities.

The KAoA Steering Committee provides strategic guidance for the KAoA state initiative in Bochum. Its members include:

This is based on the agreements of the NRW Training Consensus and the Instrument Catalog of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia

The following organizations also provide support in the process of municipal coordination:

as well as many other partners in the following three areas:

  1. Career Guidance

  2. Designing Transitions

  3. Making dual training programs more transparent

Contact information

Address: Universitätsstraße 43 – 49, 44789 Bochum

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can I contact if I have questions about the career guidance process?

In every secondary school, a teacher serves as the contact person for KAoA starting in 8th grade.

What responsibilities does the Municipal Coordination Office within the City of Bochum’s School Administration Office have under the “No Diploma Without a Pathway” (KAoA) program?

The state initiative is being implemented by local governments. The city of Bochum plays a central role in this effort and coordinates local activities through its municipal coordination office.

Where can I find more information about programs, projects, and events?

On the following digital bulletin board You can find the latest information on topics related to the state initiative “No Diploma Without a Pathway – Transition from School to Work in North Rhine-Westphalia” under “KAoA Bochum.”

Where can I find more information about different paths to a career?

This information is available on the digital bulletin board can be found there—it outlines options available after finishing school.