Transatlantic Career Connections (TCC)

Transatlantic Career Connections (TCC) is sponsored by Goethe-Institut USA (German American Partnership Program - GAPP) and Halle Foundation. A two-year pilot program designed to connect young people from the U. S.

and Germany at the intersection of education and industry, centered on STEM education, dual training, and global exchange.

Transatlantic Talent Pipeline - STEM. DUAL EDUCATION. GLOBAL EXCHANGE.

- Goethe-Institut USA Transatlantic Talent Pipeline STEM. DUAL EDUCATION. GLOBAL EXCHANGE.

Transatlantic Career Connections (TCC) is a two-year pilot program (2025–2026) designed by GAPP and primarily funded by the Halle Foundation . Centered on STEM education, dual training, and global exchange, TCC builds a forward-looking talent pipeline that connects young people from the U.S. and Germany at the intersection of education and industry.

Bilateral, two-week in-person exchanges in both directions—U.S. to Germany (Georgia to North-Rhine Westfalia) and Germany to the U.S. —held in Year 1 and Year 2. Full immersion through language preparation, school attendance, host family living, and active participation in the host country’s cultural and social life.

In Year 1, bilateral youth teams, supported by university researchers, collaborate with transatlantic companies to solve real-world automation challenges. In Year 2, fellows partner with vocational and trade schools to gain deeper insight into Germany’s dual education model—laying the groundwork for future careers and apprenticeships in the transatlantic space.

About the Transatlantic Career Connection Pilot This project aims to enhance youth mobility by creating a model pipeline that connects education and industry, enabling high school students to explore alternative educational pathways.

This project integrates bilateral virtual and in-person exchanges, internships, and collaborative STEM projects to equip students in the US (Georgia) Germany (North-Rhine Westfalia) with essential skills in Mechatronics, Fintech, and Cybersecurity.

Georgia-based U.S. students from the Central Educational Center in Newnan, GA, are introduced to Germany’s renowned dual education system, blending academic learning with practical apprenticeship experience. Participants from both countries not only acquire advanced technical skills but also gain cultural and linguistic immersion, deepening their global understanding.

Through exposure to diverse educational and professional environments, students enhance their problem-solving, communication, and collaboration abilities, developing the critical competencies needed for future career success.

In the first year, a bilateral group of 60 students—supported by their teachers and guided by a research team from the University of Cologne, led by Dr. Gero Stoffels—will work together on hands-on STEM projects tackling real-world automation challenges.

These challenges are developed in collaboration with REMA Group, a global leader in EV charging connectors and advanced electronic interfaces, with operations in Germany, China, and the U.S. Over the course of two years, CEC- Transatlantic Career Fellows will: ✔️ Participate in language and cultural immersion programs ✔️ Partner with vocational schools in Germany for specialized career and technical training in Year 2, gaining first-hand experience of Germany’s dual education system ✔️ Build a strong foundation for future career pathways in the transatlantic apprenticeship and job market.

Who are the Transatlantic Career Fellows? This project is designed for high school students aged 15 to 17 in both the U.S. and Germany. In the U.S., participating students are enrolled at the Central Educational Center (CEC) in Georgia.

They are selected from the pathways of Mechatronic, Cybersecurity and Fintech. In the first year, these 30 students are paired with peers from Marienschule in Euskirchen and St. Joseph’s Gymnasium in Rheinbach, both located in North Rhine-Westphalia.

In the second year, CEC students are paired with vocational schools in Germany for an in-depth exploration of the German dual education system.

This pilot fuses GAPP’s 50+ years of exchange experience with the innovative Central Education Center Model—emphasizing work-based learning through partnerships with local industry, Coweta County schools (East Coweta High School, Newnan High School, Northgate High School) and West Georgia Technical College.

By targeting students around the age of 16, the project fosters early curiosity and ambition, empowering them to make informed decisions about their futures. Our project emphasizes hands-on experiences and exposure to diverse career opportunities in international settings.

At the Central Education Center (CEC), a public charter school in the Coweta County school system, approximately 62% of feeder high schools are Title I schools, and about 45% of enrolled students face economic disadvantages, making international travel and cultural exchanges difficult to access.

This project offers these students a unique opportunity to experience life beyond their immediate environments, promoting personal growth, confidence, and empowerment. By the project's conclusion in 2026, participants will have developed essential linguistic skills and global competencies, positioning them for professional opportunities with companies in the transatlantic space.

The CEC has established strong relationships with the GACC South and various German companies. By leveraging this network, we believe the planned conferences and networking events will further support students in continuing and expanding their professional journeys with German businesses in Georgia.

Selection of First Cohort of Georgia Students Format: In-Person and Virtual, Central Education Center, Newnan, GA Key stakeholders—including students, teachers, and parents—are introduced to the project. 30 students from the CEC in the pathways of Mechatronics, Fintech, and Cybersecurity are selected.

Format: Virtual, GAPP U.S. teachers from the Central Education Center engage virtually with their German counterparts from Marienschule, Euskirchen and St. Joseph's Gymnasium, Reinbach, for orientation and student matching. The selected US- students receive an introduction to German culture and daily life.

Kick-off for Authentic STEM Project Format: Virtual, University of Cologne, REMA Group, GAPP 60 U.S. and German students, along with their teachers, participate in a collaborative kick-off event to plan AUTHENTIC STEM project in Mechatronics, Fintech, and Cybersecurity June-July 2025– Georgia Students Travel to Germany Format: In-Person, University of Cologne Team 30 U.S. students and teachers spend two weeks in Germany, staying with host families and attending school while working on STEM projects with REMA Group, a global leader in EV charging connectors and advanced electronic interfaces, with operations in Germany, the U.S. and China Reception at the North Rhine-Westphalia State Parliament in Düsseldorf (NRW) Format: In-person event with 60 students, eight teachers, and program partners The reception honors the commitment and collaboration of U.S. and German students and educators.

It also highlights the strong transatlantic ties between Germany—particularly the state of North Rhine-Westphalia—and the United States, which continue to thrive through youth exchange, educational cooperation, and shared values. September 2025- October 2025 Selection of Second Cohort of Fellows Format: In-Person/Virtual The 2026 cohort and teachers is selected to build upon the skills developed in 2025 Language Course (A1.

1 Level) Format: Virtual, Goethe-Institut A 10-week German language course prepares the second cohort of U.S. students for their exchange, focusing on basic communication skills. 30 German Students from Marienschule Euskirchen and St.

Joseph's Gymnasium, Rheinbach Visit the U.S. Format: In-Person 30 German students stay with host families, attend CEC, the base high school of their partner student, as well as college (West Georgia Tech), and engage in job shadowing.

Work Based Learning Careers Conference Format: In-Person, Joachim Herz Stiftung Non-Profit Learning Center, Covington, GA Conference discusses the European apprenticeship model, featuring industry leaders and speakers from both countries. Advanced Language Course (A1. 2 Level) Format: Virtual, Goethe-Institut The second cohort continues language training with a focus on vocational terminology Vocational School Matching Format: Virtual.

Students are matched with German vocational schools in preparation for their exchange June 2026 – U.S. Students’ Vocational Exchange to Germany Format: In-Person 15 Georgia students and their teacher spend two weeks in Germany, attending vocational schools and participating in internships with German companies Advanced Vocational Language Course (A. 2. 1.

Level) Format: Virtual, Goethe-Institut The second cohort continues with vocationally-focused language training. German Vocational School Students Visit the U.S. Format: In-Person 15 German vocational students stay with host families in Georgia, engage in job shadowing, and visit German companies based in the area.

October 2026 – Graduation Ceremony and Networking Event, Halle Foundation This event recognizes achievements and fosters connections among industry leaders, educational representatives, and family members. Transatlantic Career Connections in the News Congratulations to REMA Gruppe, the company our fellows partnered with in the project’s first year, on winning second prize at the German National SCHULEWIRTSCHAFT competition.

Read about the competition and the award here. Transatlantic Career Connections is featured in the Halle Foundation Magazine's article From Classroom to Career (issue Winter 2026). Read the magazine and article here .

German American Partnership Program (GAPP)