Mahalia Singh: From the publisher into adventure – world tour from 2026!

Mahalia Singh: From the publisher into adventure – world tour from 2026!

The world is Mahalia Singh's oyster! From January 2026, the Suhler Verlagsgesellschaft trainee will not only begin a traineeship, but also an exciting trip around the world, during which she will, among other things, explore New Zealand. After successfully completing her high school diploma at Lautenberg in Suhl, Mahalia has clearly defined her plans for the future. She originally wanted to study event management, but the business administration-heavy curriculum took her on a different path. The COVID-19 pandemic changed their life goals and opened up new perspectives.

But before she sets off on her big journey, Mahalia has exciting months ahead at the publishing house. It represents the first nationwide training campaign of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) with the motto “Training makes more of us”. This initiative started on March 9, 2023 and aims to get young people excited about dual training. After all, the number of apprenticeships in southern Thuringia rose by 10% to 1,026 newly registered apprenticeships in 2022 - a positive trend. In addition to Mahalia, there are eight other trainees who share their training experiences on the TikTok channel @die.azubis and give tips for starting their careers.

The advantages of dual training

Dual training, which is very popular in Germany, offers young people many opportunities. As highlighted in a report by the Federal Agency for Civic Education, practical vocational elements are shown to promote excellent outcomes in the labor market. At the international level, Germany is often seen as a model for dual training systems, which has a positive effect on transition opportunities into employment. This form of education offers promising prospects, particularly for people with low and medium school qualifications.

Despite this positive development, the shortage of skilled workers remains a serious issue. Torsten Herrmann, President of the IHK Südthüringen, is pleased about the 18% increase in training contracts in industry, but warns about the challenges that the world of work will bring with it in the future. This dual training is not only a key to employment opportunities, but also important for counteracting demographic change and ensuring solid professional qualifications.

Gain experience and expand perspectives

For Mahalia and her colleagues, commitment to training is not only professional preparation, but also personal development. Real trainees report on their everyday lives, giving a vivid picture of the training. The “Training makes more of us” campaign is particularly aimed at students and young people who want to get a fresh start after dropping out of their studies. In addition to the individual reports, the topic of sustainable living is also not neglected and appeals to the generation of environmentally conscious people.

Dual training in Germany is characterized by a remarkable diversity. With over 325 state-recognized training occupations and a well-organized transition system for young people without a training place, the German model differs from the training systems in many other countries, which are mostly school-based or have less practical components. This could make Mahalia's journey not only a personal discovery, but also an insight into different educational models and cultures worldwide.

Overall, it shows that the path to dual training is rich in possibilities and opportunities, even today. Mahalia Singh is an example of the numerous young people who want to shape their professional future with curiosity and courage and at the same time discover the world. Who knows, perhaps she will gain even more valuable experience during her travels in New Zealand and beyond, which she can use in her training when she returns home. Your adventure is just beginning!