Find out what challenges he faces as part of the InnoVET PLUS joint project and what tips he gives students on how to write their own texts.

1. what moment in your life sparked your passion for vocational and company education?

Looking back, the foundation stone was laid in the context of or at the end of my dual vocational training at the time. It quickly became clear to me that I didn't want to work in a specialist area. I was much more interested in in-company training and further education. So I initially became a company trainer and completed the training of trainers - the AdA certificate for short - as my first rudimentary vocational training qualification through the Chamber of Industry and Commerce. But it didn't stop there...

Later, or rather quite soon, I left the company and studied vocational and company pedagogy, at that time still as a diploma course. This was followed by professional positions as a personnel developer and project manager in a consultancy firm for in-company training. I completed my doctorate as part of the research training group 'Change processes in industry and service professions' at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. This is where my interests in occupational research, the professionalization of pedagogical forms of action, in particular counselling and continuing education research, were awakened. I almost went to the BIBB (Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training), where I had already signed up, but then almost at the same time I had the opportunity to take up an academic council position at my home university, the RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau. I had later completed my habilitation there with a research paper on continuing vocational training, which in a way closed the circle. At the RPTU, I then added the topics of school pedagogy, teacher professionalism and school development, which address the school as a place of learning in vocational education.

I also consider my time in Saarbrücken to be a very significant moment. Here I was able to spend three years helping to set up a university and develop vocational education. I was on leave from RPTU for this time. The decisive factor here was that the students were the same age or older than me and, as already established teachers - in schools for healthcare professions - they needed post-qualification in vocational education. On the one hand, it was important to do justice to adult learning and, on the other, to bring the standards of social and educational science and vocational education closer to the students and create a professional working alliance.

Viktoria Bergmann brings her passion for education and e-learning, research & practice transfer and her everyday survival tips directly to Lernfabriken@BeruflicheBildung. She designs empirical studies, develops didactic concepts and ensures that scientific findings are immediately put into practice.

Viktoria Bergmann, research assistant,
Project collaborator in the InnoVET PLUS project & doctoral student

5 questions for Viktoria Bergmann

What did you study and what originally led you to this?

I studied educational science and focused on eEducation and lifelong learning in my Master's degree. In my subsequent time at an organizational consultancy, I was repeatedly confronted with the design of human-machine interfaces - in other words, with learning processes wherever technological systems and human competence come together. Since then, I have been fascinated by how profoundly digital and technological change is transforming our working world and what pedagogical responses are needed. It was precisely this combination of technological progress, human learning processes and pedagogical issues that ultimately led me to vocational training.

What does the InnoVET Plus project Lernfabriken@BeruflicheBildung mean to you personally, and what specific tasks are you taking on as part of this project?

For me, our current InnoVET Plus project is a unique experimental space in which research and practice come together directly. I find it particularly important that we not only think about ideas and models for innovations in vocational education and training, but also implement and test them together with a wide variety of stakeholders. In this way, scientific ideas find their way into practice without delay.

In the project, I work both in scientific support and in terms of content and operations: I design and analyze empirical surveys, support the development of didactic concepts for learning factories and evaluate the project over the entire period. It is important to me that science, teaching and practice remain in constant exchange and that all expertise and perspectives are equally included - so that findings from practice ultimately flow back into research and can be further developed there.

What does a typical day as a PhD student + project team member look like - do you have a secret survival tip for the time juggling act?

A typical day for me is a colorful mix of coordination within the project, completing research tasks, writing papers for conferences and publications and teaching students at our institute. Between meetings, emails and concept papers, I try to keep concentrated phases free for my doctorate - which sometimes works better and sometimes worse. My survival tip: real-time prioritization. When the requests and tasks come in faster than your thoughts, it helps to stop for a moment and ask yourself: "What really needs to be done today?" Because honestly, not everything has to be done today. Some things can wait until tomorrow. Or next week.

What advice would you give to students who want to try out research or project work now?

I would advise students to use their time at university to try out everything that interests them and find out what suits them. It's great to have this freedom. At the same time, we lecturers are always very happy when students approach us and ask about opportunities to get involved. After all, you don't have to be an expert to get started. Openness and the desire to learn new things are much more important. And trying things out gives you the freedom to discover what excites you - and what perhaps not so much. This is exactly what the study period is for.

Is there a hobby or passion that you pursue outside of research that inspires you in your work?

I have to admit that free time in my life is limited. That's why I don't so much have one big hobby as many small interests that change depending on the season and mood - a dynamic hobby portfolio, so to speak. For me, anything that has to do with being together is particularly inspiring: This could be a visit to the playground with the family or an evening at the theater with a friend. Because the best ideas often come from sharing with others.

Our interview series "5 Questions To" is entering the next round!

This time we introduce you to Dr. Daniela Reimann - one of our dedicated academic staff members who is passionate about combining teaching, research and creative educational skills.

Dr. Daniela Reimann
Research Associate

5 questions for Dr. Daniela Reimann

What excites you most about your work in the Vocational Education team?

So far, I have enjoyed working on various research projects at national and international level, which have focused on investigating digital media in design-oriented teaching and learning processes. The combination of (media) theory and design practice is particularly exciting.

I also enjoy working with groups of students from different disciplines when it comes to how they use digital media and reflect on it for school or professional practice.

You also give your own courses - what is particularly important to you when dealing with students?

The students come to us with very different biographies, cultural backgrounds and interests. In the seminars, they should also be encouraged to think outside the box and test media technologies in a differentiated way in order to develop an understanding of technology, use its effects in a targeted manner and be able to assess side effects. To do this, they need open learning situations and places of learning where design-oriented experimentation and reflection can be encouraged.

What concerns or questions can students typically turn to you with?

They can contact me with questions about the range of courses/curriculum planning for engineering degree courses, but also with questions about possible topics for final theses in the field of digital media.

What advice would you give new students to get off to a good start and successfully master their first semester?

First of all, students should settle into their studies and not put themselves under pressure with performance requirements. Especially at the beginning of their studies, it makes sense to make contacts and explore the city and surrounding area of Karlsruhe. Studying is not only a qualification phase, but also a phase of self-reflection and self-education, after school with increasing independence and detachment from the parental home.

When you think about the institute - what makes it special for you and why is it worth studying here?

The atmosphere is informal and you know the students, which can be a great advantage, especially at the beginning, when you are settling into your studies.

After more than 20 years of commitment, we are saying goodbye to Irina Werth, who was the heart of our administration at the Chair of Vocational Education. With her organizational talent, her warmth and her commitment, Irina has enriched our team both professionally and personally. We thank her from the bottom of our hearts for the many years of support and cooperation and wish her a fulfilled, happy retirement full of wonderful moments and new freedoms.

Vanessa Greber - New team assistant
for administration and study organizationn

At the same time, we are delighted to welcome to our team as of October 15, 2025. As Team Assistant for Administration and Student Organization, she brings fresh energy and drive to our everyday university life.

5 questions for Vanessa Greber

What are your main tasks in the team?

I support the Vocational Education team in all organizational processes - from student support to the coordination of internal processes. I take care of everything so that the team can focus on the important tasks.

What do you particularly like about your new role?

I particularly like the fact that no two days are the same and that I get a good overview of the diverse processes involved in everyday university life and have contact with both the team and the students.

What experience do you bring with you?

With over 10 years of professional experience, I have in-depth knowledge of office and administrative tasks, am IT-savvy and have always continued to develop my skills.

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my free time, I like to bake, try out creative projects and am interested in sport - both actively and as a spectator.

Do you have a motto or guiding principle for your work?

A smile unites - and makes work easier.

We warmly welcome Vanessa and look forward to working together - and once again a big thank you to Irina for her many years of valuable support!