Azubister – Social Network for Young Trainees
Social Networks are increasingly diversifying. However, it is not yet clear if Social Networks for each target group can grow rapidly. I have the impression that the first 500 users are the crucial ones in a given social network, they have to be those which are also highly connected in the real world. That is why StudiVZ started with WHU students, and Facebook started with Harvard students.
www.azubister.netis a network for Azubis, the German word for Trainees. It was developed by Andreas Diehl in Cologne, who is an alumni from the university of Cologne. He is supported by Daniel Goihl and Thorsten Siel, also from Cologne. They maintain a well-informed blog that informs about the start-up but as well about the situation of trainees in Germany.
Right now the User-IDs (which are assigned chronologically) are up to the number 9000, but I would guess that only about 50 percent are complete profiles. With groups, instant messaging, uploading of photos it has the basic functions of social networks. The added value is maybe coming from a detailed search of traineeship schools and employers, which can be used for social networking. Certainly the groups for flirting and dating are quite popular.
Apparently the makers of Azubister have been trying to get in touch with the local Chambers of Commerce to facilitate educational guidance for interested trainees. Unfortunately the Chambers were not interested, so Andreas Diehl writes:
Germany is in need for trainees, we urgently need experts [...]. I am seriously wondering what role the Chambers of Commerce want to play in Germany’s aim to increase the number of trainees.
I would seriously suggest to get in touch with the Klaudia, Jasco and Flo from Fellowweb – maybe it makes sense that these two social networks cooperate and maybe even merge. In any case, good luck!
