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Angela Jetter from Winterthur conducts quick job interviews. This should lead to greater job satisfaction.
Finding the right partner in no time at all: What has long been known from love issues should also lead to a long-term relationship in professional life. Winterthur entrepreneur Angela Jetter wants to use speed dating to bring schools and teachers together.
In the concept, ten school principals meet just as many job seekers. The potential employers and potential employees exchange ideas for seven minutes, after which there is a castling. “If those involved notice that there could be a fit and there is a ‘match’, it can lead to a longer discussion and ultimately to a job,” says Jetter.
Young graduates give up the teaching profession
With her idea, the 43-year-old would like to make a contribution against the shortage of teachers, among other things. As in many other cantons, this has also been a problem in Zurich for years. So it was a big challenge last summer to find enough teachers for the 17,000 vacancies. According to the Canton of Zurich’s primary education authority, the fact that teachers changed jobs for personal reasons also played a role.
It is so important that each person ends up in the right place and can school according to their abilities.
“In the last two years, I’ve seen teachers often end up in a position after university that is not suitable for graduates,” says Angela Jetter. After six months, they are often discouraged and turn their backs on the job. “If positions have been unfavorably filled in the summer, they come back on the market after the notice period in January”. That’s why you have to take a closer look at the selection, says the former teacher.
Legend:
Many Zurich schools find it difficult to fill their vacant apprenticeship positions when school starts.
key stone
According to Jetter, speed dating should create the opportunity for the right person to end up in the right place. “Then the teacher is happier, feels good in their job and stays in one place longer.” This can prevent teachers from burning out or resigning during the probationary period.
The mediation offer, which is taking place virtually due to the pandemic, is still in its infancy. Two events have been held in January so far, and a first contract has been signed. However, school principals expect the new concept to have good chances. “It’s exciting and could work for the many young teachers on the market,” says Felix Molteni. He runs a school in the Wülflingen district of Winterthur and has already taken part in speed dating.
It might just work for the many young teachers on the market.
Sarah Knüsel, President of the Cantonal Association of School Principals, emphasizes the efficiency of the system. “In a hurry, you meet several candidates at the same time.” Otherwise you would have to invest much more time. There would indeed be a certain element of surprise in speed dating. After all, normally only candidates who are suitable for the job would be invited to the interview. “But I would take the risk.”