EMPOWER is a joint project of five universities of applied sciences in Rhineland-Palatinate. The aim of EMPOWER is to promote the research-based transfer of ideas, knowledge and technology with industry and society in the Rhine-Main-Neckar region.

The transfer project "Peer-to-Peer Transfer" serves to design, develop and test measures that are intended to contribute to the physical and mental strengthening and support of trainees in the healthcare professions.The project focuses on the implementation of peer support systems and the promotion of resilience to the challenges of everyday working life.

The aim of the measures implemented at nursing and physiotherapy schools is to reduce the number of trainees dropping out of training and to encourage them to remain in the profession in order to secure skilled workers. In particular, the aim is to promote the resilience and social integration of trainees.

Once the needs of the cooperation partners have been determined and the procedure agreed, the peer support systems will be tested in the form of regular workshops at the schools. The research methodology of "Design Based Research" is used for the (further) development of theory and the solving of transfer problems. With the help of a mix of quantitative, written surveys and qualitative survey methods, the project is continuously being (further) developed and evaluated.