Workforce training for the chemicals region

Would Recklinghausen even have a university of applied sciences if it weren't for the chemical industry? Chemicals undisputedly are introducing structural changes to the local economy, and Recklinghausen was approved as a university site in the 1990s to help promote this transition. The chemical industry was certainly an important consideration in that decision, says Dr. Klaus-Uwe Koch, 52, a professor of organic chemistry and polymer science at the school.

Today, the Recklinghausen campus of Gelsenkirchen University of Applied Sciences is the only university of this kind in the Ruhr region to offer degree programs in chemistry. Students can choose between two bachelor degree programs, chemistry and nano and material sciences. The school also offers a master’s degree in polymer science. "We currently have some 340 students enrolled in our three degree programs," reports Koch.

Prof. Dr. Joachim Roll (54, inorganic chemistry, metalorganics) is another instructor in the department. "Our university campus is vital to the chemical region because we train the workforce for local companies," he proudly says. "We are not certain when the shortage of skilled labor will impact us, but it is sure to come." This knowledge prompted the Recklinghausen University of Applied Sciences to develop a master’s program in polymer science together with Dortmund Technical University. It has become a source of great pride for the institution.

Thanks to their versatility, polymeric plastics are the material of the future. However, in the assessment of Recklinghausen University, chemical companies in the Rhine and Ruhr region lack the necessary skilled workforce because of a shortage of training opportunities for specializing in polymer chemistry and plastics technology. The school hopes to close this gap with its program offers. "Our first highly qualified graduates have already found employment in the Marl Chemical Park," notes Koch.

The campus is cooperating closely with regional chemical companies by linking undergraduate and graduate thesis work to operational projects and pursuing joint research projects. "We particularly focus on mid-sized companies, which may not have the same staffing capacities as large corporations," explains Roll.

Most research projects address process optimizations and product improvements. WiN Enscher-Lippe GmbH, a regional industrial development corporation that also cooperates with the university campus, can help secure the necessary funding.

Potential sponsors include the polymer network, which brings together chemical companies, universities, and other educational facilities as well as WiN to advance the region as a chemical industry location. In the experience of the two professors, the network can help connect companies with common interests, but also promotes associated careers in local schools.

The university has already seen its first spin-offs when former students started companies in the area of material science or quality management and created jobs for highly qualified labor in the region.

The university plans to moderately expand its chemistry programs in the upcoming years to get ready for the large group of high school graduates in 2013 that will result from a recent school reform. Dual study programs that include an apprenticeship in a company will also be added to the educational offerings of the institution in the intermediate term. Koch says, "We have already entered into talks with the training department of the Chemical Park."