10.09.2025Bayer 04

The state government's "Spielplan Zukunft" alliance with Bayer 04 and other clubs enters second year

For many young people, football is an important part of their lives, it inspires and offers a sense of identification. Players are role models and the clubs embody social commitment. The state government of North Rhine-Westphalia and the state's Bundesliga football clubs, including Bayer 04, are using this appeal to inform young people about career guidance programmes and to create offers that give them guidance and also support them in making a smooth transition from school education to practical training. After a successful first year, the commitment is now continuing - among other things with joint online and offline communication under the umbrella brand "Heimspiel Zukunft".

project implementation at the BayArena

"We are proud we have been able to implement several projects from the alliance in tandem with our partner schools at our BayArena over recent months," says Frank Ditgens, head of education at Bayer 04. "We are now looking forward to what is sure to be an equally eventful second year, for which various projects are already being planned, including participation in careers fairs at our partner schools."

In addition to Ditgens, Jutta Wellmann also represented Bayer 04 at the meeting with NRW Minister President Henrik Wüst and NRW labour minister Karl-Josef Laumann as well as representatives of the other Bundesliga clubs from North Rhine-Westphalia. At the beginning of the event, the Bayer 04 schools coordinator presented, summarised and classified the activities of the first year of the project for all those present.

Minister president Wüst: "breaking new ground"

NRW Minister President Wüst talked about the alliance with the Bundesliga football clubs and its significance: "The shortage of skilled labour is one of the major challenges of our time. That's why we have to find new ways to train more young people to become skilled workers. The Alliance for Vocational Orientation and Training is just such a way. Football inspires, motivates, connects and has a huge impact on the lives of many people. This is exactly where our alliance comes in and creates real opportunities. Thank you to all the clubs helping to support young people on their path to a career."

Photos: MAGS NRW/A. Bowinkelmann

About "Spielplan Zukunft - your path to a career":

"Spielplan Zukunft - dein Weg in den Beruf" is the first agreement between the state government and the Bundesliga clubs in North Rhine-Westphalia on the topic of recruiting skilled labour. The alliance, part of the NRW skilled labour campaign, was initiated by the Ministry of Labour, Health and Social Affairs and is under the patronage of Minister President Hendrik Wüst, among others. The alliance uses the appeal and reach of football to inspire and inform young people about apprenticeships.

The members of the alliance are: Arminia Bielefeld (joined the Alliance in 2025), VfL Bochum, Borussia Dortmund, Fortuna Düsseldorf, SGS Essen, FSV Gütersloh, FC Köln, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, Borussia Mönchengladbach, SC Preußen Münster, SC Paderborn 07 and Schalke 04.

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