How can companies attract the right skilled workers when traditional training pathways are no longer effective? Through their successful partnership, the REWE Group and the International Federation (IB) demonstrate how partial qualifications can serve as a complementary recruiting tool in the retail sector. Through the close integration of on-the-job training and accompanying theory, adults—as the primary target group—are prepared for everyday professional life in a practical way, while businesses receive targeted support. The panel will demonstrate how innovative educational partnerships make the German labor market more attractive and accessible—including for people with non-linear employment histories—and thus make an important contribution to securing a skilled workforce and ensuring the long-term viability of the retail sector.