JPMorganChase Announces Funding to Help over 4,300 Students Prepare for Future Careers

• €2.5 million in funding for programs in Berlin and several other German federal states
• Focuses on developing digital skills and providing practical exposure to the world of work
• Further strengthens and expands JPMorganChase’s efforts to develop tomorrow’s talent

JPMorganChase today announced €2.5 million in philanthropic support to expand career readiness and improve pathways to employment for young people in Germany. Building on more than a decade of experience supporting local communities, this funding expands the firm’s support for Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung and Junge Tüftler following successful pilot projects. The funding will empower young people through digital and STEM skills development, career orientation, and practical work experience.

• As part of the Skills & Go! program of Deutsche Kinder- und Jugendstiftung (DKJS), JPMorganChase supports young people at risk of not successfully transitioning into apprenticeship or further education by strengthening digital skills and career readiness. The work supports students in the final years of secondary school and is implemented across Hesse, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate.
• JPMorganChase is helping to scale Junge Tüftler’s “TüftelLab Schule” program, embedding career readiness through hands-on learning into school curricula. The program will support Berlin students aged 13–17 to build digital literacy, problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. It also connects students to local employers and introduces them to STEM and climate-related career pathways.

"We are continually expanding our presence in Germany — and with it, our commitment to our local communities," said Alexander Mayer, Senior Country Officer for Germany and Austria at JPMorganChase. "Together with public, private, and non-profit partners such as DKJS and Junge Tüftler, we are helping young people unlock their potential and creating an important foundation for the future."

Skills potential in Germany and demand for STEM and digital competencies

Germany's digital transformation is reshaping its economy, but a shortage of over 163,000 STEM professionals poses a challenge.¹ Digital skills are now needed in up to 90% of jobs, yet 40% of eighth graders show low digital competence.²,³ In addition, nearly 50% of 15-year-olds lack a professional goal⁴ — highlighting the need for structured career orientation. Today’s announcement helps address this challenge and is designed to drive longer-term systems change.

Scaling an effective model with DKJS

Building on learnings from a two-year pilot that reached more than 700 young people, JPMorganChase and DKJS will help students nearing graduation to enhance their digital skills and career readiness. This next phase expands support across three federal states—Hesse, Thuringia, and Rhineland-Palatinate—working with partner schools and local stakeholders to support the transition from school into vocational pathways.

DKJS will scale a structured approach that combines intensive learning with employer exposure. The program includes skills camps during school holidays, skills weeks at schools, and a follow-up phase with career guidance and company visits. Across 2026–2027, this support aims to reach 1,920 students, with approximately 1,000 receiving deeper follow-up support.

“Young people are at the center of everything we do, and so is understanding what they need to successfully shape their future after leaving school. Our strong partnership with JPMorganChase enables us to provide young people with targeted support, open up access to the world of work, and help them strengthen their digital skills for the next step into vocational training and employment,” said Julia Puchta, Expert for Future Skills, DKJS.

Supporting STEM skills and career exposure in Berlin with Junge Tüftler and Chase

Since 2022, JPMorganChase has supported the non-profit organization Junge Tüftler, helping around 1,300 students to strengthen their career orientation. Designed as a hands-on learning experience, the program embeds career orientation directly into the school curriculum. Modular learning formats help students build practical digital and technical skills and connect with local companies. Over the next three years, JPMorganChase will scale this support through the “TüftelLab Schule” initiative, reaching 2,400 students across 18 Berlin secondary schools, with a particular focus on students with greater support needs.

The firm’s digital consumer bank, Chase, will provide essential hardware and tools to deliver the hands-on modules. Launched in May 2026 and located in Berlin with around 200 employees, Chase aims to help local students by equipping schools with the “TüftelSchrank Light”—a kit that provides students with the tools they need to build their skills.

“In order to empower young people through digital and STEM skill development, we need strong alliances. We are pleased that JPMorganChase has joined our TüftelAlliance and is helping us create equal access to future-proof learning through our 'TüftelLab Schule' program,” said Sabrina Konzok, Managing Director, Junge Tüftler gGmbH.

JPMorganChase in Germany

JPMorganChase is a global leader in financial services. Under the J.P. Morgan and Chase brands, the firm serves millions of retail customers as well as many of the world's most significant companies, institutional and public-sector clients. From offices in Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Munich, it provides best-in-class services across the Commercial & Investment Bank, Asset Management, Private Bank and Consumer Banking. For over 100 years, JPMorganChase has helped create economic opportunities in Germany, working with local leaders and partners to drive sustainable growth for start-ups, midsize and large companies. It also helps people save and prepare for their financial futures while enabling young people to access job opportunities.