Inklusion vor Ort (IvO)

Friedrich Schiller University Jena continues its successful research into supporting disadvantaged young people in vocational education and training

The transition from school to vocational training and employment poses a major challenge, particularly for young people with special support needs. Although a wide range of scientifically grounded and practice-tested educational innovations promoting inclusion already exists, the successful integration of these approaches into everyday teaching practice and their sustainable implementation remain key challenges. The new research project “Inklusion vor Ort” (IvO) addresses precisely this issue. It builds on the successful outcomes of the predecessor project „Selbstinszenierungspraktiken als Zugang zu einer selbstbestimmten, multimodalen Kompetenzfeststellung für (aus-)bildungsbenachteiligte Jugendliche“ (SeiP), which was funded by the German Federal Ministry for Education, Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMBFSJF; formerly BMBF).

With this new project, the research consortium formed by the Chairs of Business and Vocational Education at the universities of Jena, Paderborn, and Rostock continues to secure third-party funding in the field of “Inclusion in Vocational Education and Training.” The project “Inklusion vor Ort” (IvO) is funded by the BMBFSJF with approximately €790,000. The project officially started on April 1, 2026, and will run for three years.

The Jena site plays a central scientific role within the project. Under the leadership of Professor Petra Frehe-Halliwell, Friedrich Schiller University Jena contributes its longstanding expertise in inclusive vocational education, participatory development processes, and learner-centered didactics. Building on initial pilot studies conducted in North Rhine-Westphalia, further implementation and testing are now planned in Thuringia, with the results also feeding into teacher education and training.

Through IvO, the participating universities continue their successful collaboration while providing new impetus for inclusive and strengths-based vocational education.

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Petra Frehe-Halliwell
Friedrich Schiller University Jena
E-Mail: petra.frehe@uni-jena.de