Federal Minister Heil recognises Germany's most innovative skilled worker networks

Hubertus Heil, Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, has recognised four outstanding skilled worker networks and awarded them the designation of "2021 Innovative Network". Together with Mr Knobloch, Director of the Zentralstelle für die Weiterbildung im Handwerk e. V. [Central Agency for Continuing Vocational Education and Training in the Skilled Crafts, ZWH], he recognised the networks’ achievements during the now traditional "People in work – skilled workers in the region" campaign weeks. Since 2012, the campaign weeks have enabled the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (BMAS) and the initiative “New Quality of Work” (Initiative Neue Qualität der Arbeit, INQA) to provide a national platform for regional campaigns and events on the topics of ensuring the supply of skilled workers and the future of work.

The megatrends of digitalisation, decarbonisation and demographic change are posing a range of different challenges for the regions in our country. However, it is clear that without skilled workers the structural change cannot be achieved. The specific situation relating to the coronavirus pandemic is also a factor. I am therefore all the more delighted that networks in the regions are producing creative solutions with their innovative projects. They are demonstrating the importance of working together and of professional networking.