A managing director in the production line of a social institution, a rehabilitation student in the administration of a university company – this became reality for one day during the campaign "Shift Change". During the nationwide day of action in mid-October, around 1,500 employees from workshops for physically or mentally impaired people and employees from companies in the general labor market swapped jobs.
Shift Change Promotes Inspiration and Inclusion
A managing director in the production line of a social institution, a rehabilitation student in the administration of a university company – this became reality for one day during the campaign "Shift Change".
In the Heilbronn region, Nadezhda Aleksandrova from the Therapeutikum in Sontheim and Daniel Gottschald, Managing Director of Die TUM Campus Heilbronn gGmbH, were among those who switched jobs. "This allows people with and without disabilities to meet, talk and get to know each other. Possible prejudices and fears are reduced in the process," says Manfred Lucha, Baden-Württemberg's Minister for Social Affairs, Health and Integration, explaining the objective of the day of the campaign.
The Therapeutikum and the TUM at the Heilbronn Campus have been in contact for some time. Martina Wieland, managing director of the Therapeutikum, explains: "Our two institutions are planning a joint bicycle workshop for the Therapeutikum on the Bildungscampus." Daniel Gottschald adds: "On the one hand, we are a university of excellence and model campus for the digital age, a global leader of cutting-edge research, but also a good neighbor to our partners in the Heilbronn-Franken region. In all of this, the following applies: People and their knowledge are at the center of our activities, not the economic benefit of human resources."
In the Middle Instead of Just Thereby
Daniel Gottschald is impressed by the Therapeutikum's production hall: modern machinery, a perfectly organized production line and a sophisticated logistics system. "We manufacture parts here that other suppliers cannot," explains Production Manager Patrick Rückert proudly. The therapeutic center's customers include renowned companies in the automotive industry. A win-win situation for rehabbers and customers alike. Workshop manager Marco Sacher provides insights into how both sides benefit from the cooperation: "On the one hand, we manufacture technically complex products, even in small quantities. On the other hand, we create a regular daily structure for the employees. This helps them develop a new sense of self-worth." Unfortunately, he says, there is still a lot of fear of contact in society.
"The Therapeutikum makes a significant contribution to our social security systems, is a successful therapy facility and an economically successful company. For us, it is therefore an outstanding example of successful social entrepreneurship, and we at TUM Campus Heilbronn want to make a contribution to this," says Daniel Gottschald, explaining the reasons why the educational institution is participating in this year's Day of Action. Gottschald himself is making a contribution in the area of manpower on this day, because on this day, he is lending a hand in the shock absorber production. At the first station, the parts are prepared for the production line and Daniel Gottschald does well: "That's good bolting," he receives praise from one of his new colleagues.
