NRW Schools Minister Feller visits Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel

After attending a special school, young people with intellectual disabilities usually move to a workshop for adapted work. Only a few make it onto the so-called 1st labour market. The aim of the Cologne parents„ association “mittendrin e.V.„ is to change this. In cooperation with the inclusion service provider Projekt Router gGmbH, the association has launched the model project “Ausbildung mittendrin", which is unique in Germany. The association supports young people with disabilities on their path through dual vocational training.

Three trainees at Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel
One company that enables young people with disabilities to learn and work „in the thick of things“ is the Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel. Three project participants started an apprenticeship there in 2022. In addition to two young women who are training to become catering specialists, one young man has started training as a chef. For Oliver Mirring, Managing Director of the DJH Rhineland, participating in the project is a matter close to his heart: „Inclusion has been firmly anchored in the statutes of the youth hostels in the Rhineland for over 100 years. Youth hostels are places of encounter and togetherness, and this definitely includes the staff. People from 17 nations are employed at Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel and now young people with disabilities are enriching our team in the pilot project „Ausbildung Mittendrin“.“

Dorothee Feller visits Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel
How are the three trainees doing after their first year of training? How is their day-to-day work going? And what can politicians do to promote inclusive training? These questions were the focus of today's visit by NRW Schools Minister Dorothee Feller to Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel. DJH Rhineland Managing Director Oliver Mirring welcomed the minister and accompanied her through the hostel. Dorothee Feller looked over the shoulders of the three trainees at their workplaces. This was followed by a round of talks with the participants. The NRW Schools Minister spoke about the project with representatives of the „mittendrin e.V.“ association, Projekt Router gGmbH, the participating Cologne vocational colleges and Cologne-Riehl Youth Hostel.