Finding Courage with MUT Academy

At HRNS, we believe in the potential of young people. Our work helps young people realize their potential so they can shape their own future and become active members of society. In Germany, opportunities for youth from educationally disadvantaged families are often scarce. The Hamburg based MUT Academy empowers young people to successfully make the transition from school to vocational training. Alexandra Güntzer spoke with Managing Director Freda von der Decken about Mut, the German word for courage, opportunities and personal commitment.

Why is your program called MUT Academy?

The name says it all: We help people find the courage to move forward. We originally started by supporting young people as they transition from school into the workforce, and today we also empower educators who guide students through that process.

What does “MUT” mean in practical terms for the young people you work with?

Courage is actually a fairly complex concept, especially during the challenging transition from school to working life. For many young people, courage means trying things that feel intimidating or uncomfortable. That might be sending a job application to a company they’ve never interacted with before or practicing for a job interview.
Most importantly, though, courage means taking a closer look at yourself. Who am I? What are my strengths? What am I capable of? As is often the case in life, courage has many different dimensions.

Why do so many young people still struggle to make the transition from school into vocational training?

That’s a complex question! One reason is that the systems surrounding young people are often not set up effectively enough. Schools and support structures frequently fail to provide the tools and resources needed for a smooth transition.
A key example is career orientation. Young people need a clear understanding of the opportunities available to them, but the range of options can be overwhelming.
There are also resource gaps on multiple levels. Access to computers and reliable internet at schools and at home is not always guaranteed, making it harder to prepare and submit applications or get support with them.
At the same time, many young people struggle with low self-confidence. As a result, they often underestimate their own abilities and may not even feel ready to think seriously about their future.

At the same time, thousands of apprenticeship positions remain unfilled every year. How do you explain that disconnect?

Many employers face challenges when it comes to reaching young people. In many cases, young people looking for opportunities, and companies looking for apprentices simply don’t connect. In addition, many of the apprenticeship opportunities that remain vacant are in professions that young people know very little about. There is often a mismatch between employers’ application requirements and the realities young people face. For example, some companies still require applications to be submitted by post, while many young people don’t even have access to a printer.

Who exactly is MUT Academy targeted at?

Our program is aimed at students in Hamburg’s district schools who are leaving school with a First School Leaving Certificate (ESA) or without a formal school-leaving qualification.

Why is it important that young people apply to the program themselves?

We want participants to make a conscious and active decision to join the program and take that important first step on their own. MUT Academy is not a mandatory intervention. Personal commitment from the start is essential.

What does the program look like in practice? What do participants experience from 10th grade through the start of their apprenticeship?

Students take part in the program for an entire school year, which consists of several different components. It begins with a formal kick-off event. After the fall break, participants attend our MUT Camp. Throughout the year, we then offer a variety of additional formats at our office, including application marathons, application workshops, motivation days, a company fair, and apprentice speed-dating events. On top of that, every participant receives extensive individual support throughout the year.

What makes your MUT Camps so unique?

First of all, it’s the format itself. Participants step away from their everyday environment and spend time with around 35 other young people from different schools. The MUT Camps include workshops on career orientation, application skills, personal courage and development. Afternoons are dedicated to sports and team activities, while evenings offer a variety of additional programs and opportunities to connect.
Another distinguishing factor is the level of support. Each camp is accompanied by around ten trainers, whom we call MUTivators.
Most importantly, though, it’s about the content. The camps focus on the participants’ futures, creating an environment where young people encourage one another and gain the confidence to actively shape their lives after school.

How important is one-on-one support compared to traditional career orientation programs?

One-on-one support is a crucial element of our program that often doesn’t get enough recognition. Each participant is paired with a dedicated mentor who supports them throughout the entire year. Ideally, that relationship develops into a genuine bond built on trust. This is particularly important during challenging phases of the program. A strong relationship makes it much easier to reach, motivate, and support young people when they need it most.
In many traditional career orientation programs, this level of personal support is simply not possible due to time and resource constraints.

What changes do you see in participants over the course of the program, beyond professional or career-related skills?

Many young people mature significantly during their time with us. They get to know themselves remarkably well because they spend so much time reflecting on who they are and what they want. At the same time, they are constantly encouraged to take action. They learn to face situations that may feel intimidating or uncertain, but they do so within a supportive and protected environment. That experience helps them develop resilience and self-confidence. You can often see the difference in the way they carry themselves, in their body language, and in the confidence they project.

How do you continue supporting participants once they have started their apprenticeship?

We continue supporting them for another six months after they begin their apprenticeship. We visit them at their workplaces and remain available whenever they need advice or assistance, especially if challenges arise.

How important is collaboration with schools and educators to your success?

It’s absolutely essential. Teachers know their students better than anyone else. Their support is critical when it comes to encouraging young people to apply and helping them take advantage of the opportunities our program offers.

Why did you develop SWITCH, a separate program for educators?

Because we realized that what we do is not magic, it can absolutely be implemented in schools as well. Our goal is not for every student in Hamburg to participate in MUT Academy. Our goal is for more young people overall to successfully make the transition from school into vocational training. That’s why it was the natural next step to share our methods, materials, and mindset with teachers and educators.

When you think about a participant from your program, is there a particular story or moment that stands out to you?

Recently, I asked one of our students, what animal MUT Academy would be. His answer was: a hammerhead shark. His reasoning was that a hammer is a tool people use to build things with their own hands. In the same way, participants at MUT Academy build their own future. Nobody sits next to them and fills out job applications on their behalf. Instead, the program empowers them to do it themselves. I found that comparison so insightful and memorable that it has stayed with me ever since.

If you had to explain in one sentence why your work matters, what would you say?

Helping others find courage gives you the greatest courage of all.