Yesterday it was chemistry, glass and zinc. Today it's kindergarten, a care home and the food bank. At the beginning of September 2017, the Social Day took place in both Castrop-Rauxel and Gelsenkirchen, where apprentices from industrial companies in the respective cities did voluntary work. 13 ZINQ apprentices also participated, experiencing a very special change of perspective.

„That particularly apprentices from the industrial sector would spend a day in the social sector is a massive change of perspective. I think it's great that young people are able to perceive a different reality of life this way,“ said Mayor Frank Baranowski as he welcomed the Gelsenkirchen apprentices on the morning of the event.

49 apprentices from five Gelsenkirchen companies and 39 apprentices from 6 Castrop-Rauxel companies are spread across both city areas for their Social Days in 17 social institutions. They are sanding, painting, and screwing. They are reading aloud or going shopping with residents, and for one day, they are taking time for tasks that are often neglected in everyday life. Devin Förster from ZINQ was also part of this and actively committed to the local community. The aspiring industrial clerk, along with his colleagues, was not dealing with galvanising issues for once, but instead was refurbishing a wooden climbing frame at the “Senfkorn“ children's day care centre.

„The Social Day really gives us interesting insights. For one thing, we come into contact with social professions, which is not a given when you work in an office. For another, it's a great feeling that the kids are so happy about the visit and that we can help at the same time,“ said Förster.

So the special change of perspective worked.
His boss Lars Baumgürtel was also present in Gelsenkirchen. The managing partner of the Voigt & Schweitzer Group (ZINQ) and Vice President of the IHK Nord Westfalen was pleased that the Social Day was taking place in Gelsenkirchen for the second time, following 2016, and at the same time stressed the particular role of industry, which is „part of civil society, in which apprentices can participate not only on this day.“

The entire project falls under the In|dus|try Acceptance Offensive, which the IHK North Westphalia launched seven years ago with the voluntary body, the Industry Committee. A strong idea that aims to bring industry back into people's consciousness. Or, put another way: industry is to be more widely accepted among the general population – hence the name. Services are good – but industry is too.

All in all, 500 apprentices from 13 industrial associations in North Westphalia were involved in the Social Day, giving them an extra dose of volunteering. Everyone from young to old was present. And of course, the idea is universally positive, as Claudia Berg, head of the Mikado Family Centre in Castrop-Rauxel, summarises on behalf of all social institutions:

„We had a play cooker set up today, which the children have already christened appropriately. I have to say, it was a great activity that can definitely be repeated next year.“

Considerations that all involved also voice aloud. Yes, it is a day of changing perspectives. A bit of a school trip, a dash of corporate celebration, and above all, the feeling of doing something meaningful. And so, summarised – over grilled sausage and salad – is Markus Lübbering, responsible at the IHK for the Social Day:

„Those were really good days, where the many trainees got to know each other better and the companies networked even more. All in all, we simply did something good.“