Securing skilled labour

Once a year, the International Matching Fair in Bocholt connects companies from the region with students from the Westfälische Hochschule and neighbouring universities. The aim is to establish contacts at an early stage and to show prospects for internships, final theses or career entry.

International companies - particularly from the Dutch border region - are also involved and strengthen cross-border exchange.

As part of the regional skilled labour strategy, the trade fair promotes the direct transfer of knowledge, supports companies in recruiting young talent and helps to retain qualified skilled workers in the long term.

The city of Bocholt sends a clear signal in favour of an active welcoming culture with regular welcoming events for new citizens. Several times a year, newly arrived citizens and returnees are officially received and welcomed back to their new or old home.

The meeting point is the market square in front of the historic town hall. Depending on the date, a guided tour of the city or a joint visit to the Christmas market may be organised. This provides an early opportunity to make contacts and experience Bocholt in person.

The events are organised by the Bocholt Economic Development Agency together with the city. Representatives from administration and business welcome the participants and provide insights into the quality of life and work in Bocholt. In addition, new residents receive information material and small welcome gifts.

With the freshers' welcome event, the city of Bocholt, together with the business development organisation, creates an attractive introduction for students of the Westfälische Hochschule to their new living environment.

In the heart of the city, on the market square in front of the historic town hall, the new students are welcomed and given the opportunity to get to know Bocholt directly outside the campus. An informal supporting programme - with small events, gastronomic offerings and joint activities in the city centre, for example - encourages interaction and makes it easier to settle in.

In addition, first-year students receive so-called "Welcome Bags" with information about the city, offers from local retailers and further impulses to discover Bocholt as a place to study, live and work.