One program, hundreds of consultations: 10 years of "Changing careers instead of dropping out"
This year, the "Umsteigen statt Aussteigen" program is celebrating its tenth anniversary - with great success. Since 2015, the advice and placement service has been supporting students who are in doubt about their studies on the path to training or career alternatives and is now firmly anchored in the Hannover Region's economic and employment promotion services. The program serves as an initial point of contact for people who want to find out whether they are on the right career path or whether they should take a different route.
The figures speak for themselves: more than 960 people seeking advice had used the service by June 2025 - with individual advice needs, on average around 26 years old, almost half with a migration background. Around 40 percent of participants opt for vocational training , while 25 percent remain at university - with a different goal or course of study. The rest stay on their chosen path - this can also be a result of the counseling sessions. The economy also benefits: Over 500 companies from the region cooperate with the program, which provides access to more than 1,700 training and study places.
From model project to continuation
Hanover Region What began in 2015 as one of 18 nationwide pilot projects as part of the JOBSTARTER plus program of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and the European Social Fund (ESF) has now developed into a permanent support structure. Since 2022, the project has been fully funded by the Hannover Region and has been firmly established at Employment Promotion.
The aim of "Umsteigen statt Aussteigen" is clear: to see dropping out of university not as a failure, but as an opportunity for professional reorientation. Bridges are built in close cooperation with universities, companies, employment agencies, job centers and business development agencies - between education and career, between uncertainty and future prospects. Another success factor is the close integration with other regional programs for career guidance and securing skilled workers. In addition, there is regular cooperation with partners in Lower Saxony and nationwide - an example of successful good practice transfer in the educational landscape.
The open consultation hours - every Thursday from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Hanover Employment Agency (room 0B16) - offer low-threshold, anonymous advice options. Individual appointments can also be made by telephone, digitally or on site at the business development agency.