Nordhausen University and Piller: New cooperation for future talent!

Nordhausen University and Piller: New cooperation for future talent!

In an exciting development for the academic and industrial landscape, the Nordhausen University recently signed a cooperation agreement with Piller Blowers & Compressors GmbH. This agreement is all about practice-oriented educational support and lays the foundation for close cooperation between universities and industry.

The aim of the cooperation is to give the university's students a direct insight into practice and at the same time to strengthen the transfer of knowledge between the academic world and industry. Prof. Dr. Jörg Wagner, President of Nordhausen University, emphasizes how important the combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills is for students' future careers. The contract covers various aspects such as joint research activities, the supervision of bachelor's and master's theses as well as practical study programs that involve students in company processes at an early stage.

Practical insights and innovative ideas

As part of the contract signing, students presented creative concepts on topics such as product optimization, digitalization and human resources management. These innovative approaches reflect the university's claim to prepare students as best as possible for the demands of the job market.

Piller Blowers & Compressors, a leading international company with over 500 employees, is committed to the development and manufacture of compressors for the process industry. The company is not only committed to researching and developing new technologies for energy saving and CO₂ reduction, but also actively training young talent. This underlines the commitment to attract young talents to technical careers and to offer them high-quality training.

Strengthening vocational training

The importance of dual training is also illustrated by the visit of Lower Saxony's Education Minister Julia Willie Hamburg to Piller on March 17, 2025. On the occasion of “Vocational Training Week”, she discussed current challenges and the diversity of vocational training. In discussions with trainees and human resources managers, it became clear that integrating practice into training and promoting individual strengths are central elements in getting young people interested in technical careers.

The Minister of Education emphasized the need to better inform young people about dual training paths and to reduce prejudices. Innovative concepts and close cooperation between schools and companies are essential for the future in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. The Ministry of Culture is also working on reforming the career guidance decree for Lower Saxony in order to further intensify career guidance and cooperation between schools and companies.

International perspectives on vocational training

In international comparison, dual vocational training in Germany is seen as a model for many other countries. According to the OECD Education Report 2020, practical vocational elements have a direct positive impact on labor market outcomes. However, there is still room for improvement in terms of earning potential compared to academic degrees. The German system, which combines strong public and corporate commitment, shows how important practical training is for the success of young people.

The new cooperation between Nordhausen University of Applied Sciences and Piller Blowers & Compressors could not only enrich the local educational landscape, but also serve as a role model for other industries in which practical knowledge and innovation go hand in hand. Interested students and companies can also contact us for cooperation at transferwerk@hs-nordhausen.de.