Kick-off workshop with employment agency, business, universities and society
The ongoing Automotive Industry Strategy Dialog (SDA) Baden-Württemberg made it clear: The availability of suitable skilled workers in the STEM field is an essential element of a successful transformation of the industry. Science Minister Theresia Bauer brought together key representatives from companies, the Federal Employment Agency, business associations, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and from the various types of universities to analyze the challenges and possible solutions.
"The shortage of skilled workers is a fundamental problem that we are now analyzing intensively together. We need solutions if we do not want to fall by the wayside in the transformation of our economy and if we want to continue to advance Baden-Württemberg as a location for innovation together," Theresia Bauer summed up in Stuttgart on Monday (May 23).
At the workshop, the ministry worked with company representatives, the Federal Employment Agency, employers' and business associations, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce and various universities to analyze how to meet the changing demand for skilled workers. Approaches and measures are to be developed by the end of the year. Concrete recommendations for action for policymakers, universities and companies will then be presented at the Automotive Industry Strategy Dialog.
"A joint effort is needed with all those affected," Theresia Bauer emphasized. "The starting point is a rigorous analysis of the situation and then joint solutions in a broad alliance. I am therefore very pleased that the exchange between politics, business and universities was so constructive and that we are now working together on concrete approaches to solutions."
At the workshop, perspectives on the job and training market were examined with representatives from business and society. The focus was on the classic engineering sciences. It became apparent that not all STEM degree programs are equally affected by the change. Engineering degree programs require special attention.
As specific work assignments, stakeholders will analyze these questions:
- Where exactly are the changes to be located?
- What problems are arising from them?
- How can universities and partners in business and society respond - for example, through academic continuing education?
- Which measures to increase the number of first-year students and the success of their studies will help to meet companies' increased demand for skilled workers?
An important role is played by the use of interfaces between universities and companies, which are relevant for the further development of the competence profiles of STEM specialists. Furthermore, there was consensus on using the exciting and versatile job profiles and their importance for climate protection and digitalization to inspire young talent to take up such courses of study.
Further information:Strategy dialog automotive industry
Source: MINISTRY OF SCIENCE, RESEARCH AND ART PRESS AND PUBLIC WORK