Did you know that the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg started as a humble trade school back in 1822? It’s quite a journey from then to the modern vocational college we see today. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg has a rich history tied to Cologne’s development.
Let’s dive into the story of the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg. It all began with Ägidius Mengelberg. He was a painter who took the initiative to start an elementary drawing school. This school was for builders and professionals. It opened in November 1822. Classes were held on Sundays. They taught drawing and modeling in the Jesuit building.
Fast forward to 1921. The term “Berufsschule” appeared in Cologne for the first time. As Cologne grew and education became compulsory for female apprentices the schools split. By 1925, the vocational school for craft apprentices had grown to 8853 students. The city decided to divide it. The new vocational school for the metal trade also covered electrical apprenticeships. It also covered metalworking and the iron industry.
Finding space for these schools was always a problem. The metal trade school had 13 departments. These departments were spread across 13 locations. Classes were held in four buildings downtown. They also used nine outposts in Cologne’s suburbs. Imagine the logistics of that.
After the currency reform, the number of electrical apprentices increased. This created a need for teachers. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg adapted. In 1952, the vocational school for the metal trade split again. It became the vocational school for mechanical engineering and steel construction. The other school was for mechanics, electrical engineering, and installation.
The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg continued to evolve. In late 1953, a modern building opened on Eitorfer Straße. This building housed both the mechanical engineering and steel construction schools. Space was still tight. Classes were sometimes held in three shifts to accommodate everyone.
In 1957, construction began on a dedicated building for the school of mechanics and electrical engineering. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg finally had its own space in 1960. In 1963, another split occurred. The schools became the vocational school for mechanics and electrical engineering. The other became the vocational school for automotive technology.
In 1968, the school year changed from starting on April 1 to August 1. A significant moment arrived on December 17, 1982. The school was renamed Georg-Simon-Ohm-Schule. It was the first vocational college in Cologne to get a new name. This honored Georg Simon Ohm. He was the physicist who developed Ohm’s law.
In the late 1990s, vocational schools in North Rhine-Westphalia became Berufskollegs. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg saw changes in student numbers. There was a decline in telecommunications. But new IT and media design programs brought growth. The school moved to a new building in Cologne-Humboldt/Gremberg in 2000. This was to accommodate the growing student population.
Today, the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg continues to thrive. It offers courses in media and information technology. It also provides various full-time programs. These programs include vocational schools, technical colleges, and IT assistant training. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg even partners with schools in other countries. They have connections to schools in Warsaw and Málaga.
So here stands the Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg. It is a testament to Cologne’s commitment to vocational education. From its humble beginnings to its modern facilities. The Georg-Simon-Ohm-Berufskolleg continues to shape the future of countless students.