Entrepreneurs of tomorrow: Schoolchildren revolutionize the practice company fair

Entrepreneurs of tomorrow: Schoolchildren revolutionize the practice company fair

Mensa der Hohentwiel-Gewerbeschule-Singen, 78224 Singen, Deutschland - On June 1, 2025, the highly expected practice company trade fair at the technician school took place at the Hohentwiel trade school in Singen. The event offers future entrepreneurs the opportunity to present their products and gain practical experience in a realistic economic environment. Eight student exercise companies competed with their individually developed products, with each group consisting of six team members. The fair took place in the canteen of the HGS and not only included the presentation at stands, but also hourly product ideas on a central podium.

The participating teams had the challenge of doing innovative marketing. They presented their products using individually designed brand names and logos on team T-shirts. It should be emphasized that the exercise companies enabled a direct insight into the processes of starting the company and leadership. Here, methods of the simulation company, also known as the exercise company (ÜFA), were used to develop comprehensive knowledge of corporate structures and commercial processes. The aim of this training is to prepare young people for the real challenges in professional life, as The German exercise company ring emphasized.

insights into products and processes

The fair offered a variety of interesting products. An example is "Plantastic", a multifunctional product that serves as a table decorations, coasters and spice set. It costs 15 euros and, in addition to removable leaves with magnetic points, also contains an indirect lighting effect as well as salt and pepper spreader in the form of mushrooms. This product was developed by a team of six students, including Isa, Arend and Laurentin.

Another novelty was "Easy-Cut", a multifunction set that can be used in the areas of gluing, cutting, holding, folding and binding. This product is also offered for 15 euros and was created by the intensive collaboration of a team of two students - Melina Faßbinder and Dennis Gantert. The team worked for two and a half hours a week for over a year and was supported by teacher Oliver Hennemann. A preparatory seminar in Austria also helped team education and to deepen the joint project work. This shows impressively how the exercise companies not only develop creative ideas, but also promote competencies relevant to labor.

The importance of the exercise companies

The concept of exercise companies that has been used at technical schools since 1999 pursues the goal that students develop a marketable product within one school year. The entire process includes idea generation, manufacture and sales. Exercise companies work on a virtual market where you can handle both national and international business. These simulated companies enable trainees to gain practical commercial experiences and thus to beat the bridge between theoretical and practical training, as well as on wikipedia

The exercise company fair thus represents a highlight of the year where the results of the work in the exercise companies can be presented and products can be sold. These events are not only important for the students, but also a valuable opportunity for employers to discover talents and to get to know potential future employees.

The variety of ideas and professionalism with which the students designed the fair testify to a successful concept of practice -oriented training, which still ensures broad applicability in the education system.