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Zentrum Galvanotechnik Solingen e.V. (Solingen Electroplating Centre)
The Solingen Electroplating Centre (a registered not-for-profit organisation) "Zentrum Galvanotechnik Solingen e.V." embarked last year on a series of discussions at Management level with a view to rewriting its Articles and redefining itself.
At the moment, school students interested in a work experience programme are being afforded every assistance in finding suitable openings. Other school students have been supported in completing specialist projects in chemistry and visits to electroplating companies for students, during which fundamental principles of electroplating are explained, have been organised.
One of the new objectives is to communicate fundamental information about electroplating in a more intensive manner to schools with the support of local companies specialising in electroplating and surface finishing, with a view to promoting interest in vocational training scientific, materials-based professions and trades, in particular electroplating.
One specific project is currently being prepared: the aim is to develop a teaching module to be integrated in the existing chemistry curriculum at state schools which can then be easily adapted for use at other schools.
As a result of the existing tight schedules in the G8 educational system in Germany, coupled with the move to centralise higher school leaving certificate examination questions, such an innovative step as this requires close coordination.
Two secondary school have made specific enquiries: one is the August Dicke Grammar School in Solingen (contact Dr Kerstin Jehmlich) and the other is the Friedrich Albert Lange Comprehensive School in Solingen (contact Mrs Anja Stock).
Both these schools have expressed keen interest in the project. According to Dr Jehmlich, it is mainly the practical experiments with electroplating that cause problems at the school and she was keen to call on our expertise.
Once the teaching module has been finalised and trialled, all other schools interested in it will be given the opportunity to use it. One of our aims to help schools compensate the lack of particularly well trained teachers in this field.
Purchasing the required equipment for this projects does, however, require a solid financial basis and this is to be provided by the membership fees of the Centre.
You can find an application form and the organisation's Articles here as downloads. We would be very pleased if, despite economic constraints at the present time, you were to support the Solingen Electroplating Centre and, as a result, the schools to ensure a steady flow of qualified workers in the region in the future.
Additional information is available from the IGOS team, who work closely with the Centre.