Our history
Founded in aviation – grown into a driving force, network builder and catalyst for STEM education in our region.
2014
2015
A defining example of this initial phase was the BOSO project – career and study orientation in the aviation industry.
It enabled pupils to gain in-depth insights into aviation-specific career paths through six consecutive stages.
2017
HCAT+ and other partners from trade associations and academic and vocational education received funding approval for the implementation of the flagship project DigiNet.Air – Digital Learning Network in the Aviation Industry of the Hamburg Metropolitan Region.
2018
From BOSO emerged the BO-Luftfahrt career orientation programme, which HCAT+ implemented with Airbus and Lufthansa Technik until 2020. Aimed at pupils in Years 8 and 9 interested in technical and commercial training, it offered sound guidance for career choices.
In the Train-The-Trainer: Cabin Experts meet Academia project, HCAT+ brought together experts from research, teaching and industry to develop modern teaching materials for cabins and cabin systems and to promote knowledge exchange. The insights gained were incorporated into the contemporary design of curricula.
2020
As part of the Aviation Economic Stimulus Programme task force, various stakeholders collaborated to develop the transfer qualification Hydrogen for Aviation Professionals for aviation employees affected by short-time work during the COVID-19 pandemic. The qualification is now offered across industries through an educational partner.
2021
Under the funding guideline Establishment of Continuing Education Networks of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, HCAT+ launched two joint projects: as consortium leader of Qblue – Future-oriented Continuing Education at the Hamburg Aviation Hub and as project partner in Common Swift.
2022
A potential analysis commissioned by HCAT+ and the Hamburg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Innovation identified specific training needs within the Hamburg metropolitan region in light of technological and structural developments. In future, HCAT+’s experience and expertise will also be used to secure skilled workers and develop competencies in other forward-looking industries in the region.
2023
In cooperation with Airbus and the Renewable Energy Hamburg cluster, HCAT+ hosted the first Hydrogen Education Summit – now an annual meeting place for education experts and representatives from business and politics. From this, the Hydrogen Competence Network was established, where future skills are jointly identified, knowledge is shared and needs-based educational approaches are developed.
2024
The first Future Aircraft Experiment Kits were introduced, enabling young explorers to test them in Hamburg schools. This marked the first outcome of the Personnel & Qualification working group, initiated by Hamburg Aviation e.V. in 2023 and moderated by HCAT+ ever since. Representatives from companies, vocational and academic education, and public stakeholders work together here to find sustainable solutions for securing the next generation of skilled workers.
2025
The strategic development of HCAT+ is becoming increasingly visible. Without leaving its roots in the Hamburg aviation industry, HCAT+ now operates across sectors and aligns its work with Hamburg’s key economic clusters. The focus lies on strengthening STEM competencies as a source of innovation, promoting sustainable educational formats, facilitating knowledge transfer and fostering networks along the lifelong learning chain.
What guides us has remained the same:
We connect people, structures, projects and ideas – for a strong, networked and sustainable educational landscape in the Hamburg metropolitan region.
