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Your Future in NRW

Career in the SME sector

Hidden Champions vs. Global Players © International Office​/​TU Dortmund

Small and medium-sized enterprises account for the majority of all companies in Germany. They are considered highly innovative and are responsible for a significant proportion of research and development investment. Many SMEs are global leaders in niche markets and high-tech sectors, earning them the title of “hidden champions”. Sectors in which SMEs dominate include, among others, manufacturing, IT, healthcare, and engineering.

"Your Future in NRW" - Your chance for a thrinving career in the SME sector

The “Your Future in NRW” project focuses on the peculiarities of the German labor market in relation to SMEs. In a digital exchange format, international students and representatives of SMEs will come into contact and discuss opportunities and challenges. As a student, you will have the opportunity to network with representatives of SMEs and possibly even find your future job at one of NRW's numerous “hidden champions”. This is a cooperation project between the Technical University of Dortmund and the Ruhr University Bochum.

Students learning about SMEs © Magnus Terhorst ​/​ TU Dortmund

NRW: Germany's economic powerhouse

© International Office​/​TU Dortmund

NRW is the most populous federal state and the largest regional economic powerhouse. It is a leader in research and innovation, with a strong focus on digital transformation, green energy and sustainability. NRW has a very diverse population with a high proportion of immigrants and international skilled workers contributing to the state's workforce. The most important SME sectors in NRW are mechanical engineering, the automotive industry and the chemical industry.

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