Lusatia changing: billions for projects, but where are the specialists?

Lusatia changing: billions for projects, but where are the specialists?

In Lusatia, both industry and the future of the region are facing a profound change. Bundes' amounts of the federal government flow into structural change in order to redesign the region by 2038 after the planned coal phase -out. Cottbus is an example of the efforts to create new jobs in future industries, but the region has to struggle with a significant shortage of skilled workers.

At the center of developments is the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Cottbus, where work on innovative technologies. Professor Uwe Riedel proudly describes the progress in research, but at the same time he reveals a central problem: "We want to increase our number of employees from 72 to 120 but find qualified specialists is a challenge," he says. This is a common problem for many companies in Lausitz who are urgently looking for specialists to secure the region's innovative strength.

Financing change and opportunities for the region

The Federal Government has made a total of 40 billion euros available as part of the Structural strengthening law. Over ten billion euros will flow directly to Brandenburg. These investments are designed to diversify the economic basis of the region and to create long -term perspectives. The aim is to avoid the mistakes of the 1990s as numerous jobs were lost without adequate alternatives. The ice rink, which promises up to 1,200 jobs, and the Medical University of Lausitz, which is supposed to train urgently needed doctors, were launched as lighthouse projects.

But the newly created jobs are in competition with each other. There is an intensive competition for qualified workers, especially in the small and medium -sized companies in the region. This helps not only to fight for the big projects for suitable employees, but also come under pressure on the more traditional Lausitz companies.

For the progress of the energy transition, it is crucial that enough specialists are available quickly. Professor Riedel warns that the speed of innovation could suffer: "If we find more people than we develop ideas, it brakes progress," he explains, "he explains and calls for a coordinated nationwide initiative against the shortage of skilled workers.

demographic challenges and image problems

The demographic situation in Lausitz is tense. According to a study by the Brandenburg University of Technology, up to 60,000 specialists are missing by 2038. Gesine Grande, President of the University, emphasizes that it is due to the region to catch up with the lost years after the turn. Many young people left Lausitz years ago, which drastically reduced the current number of children and students.

Another obstacle is the region's image problem. In the past, Cottbus has earned a reputation that is not necessarily considered inviting - implicit and explicit prejudices against immigrants help to reduce the attractiveness. Doreen Mohaupt from the urban development office explains: "We have to actively fight against this image. It is up to us to fill the region with new jobs and quality of life." Cottbus plans to build 10,000 new apartments and further expand the infrastructure to win over potential immigrants.

One of the new ones, Stefanie de Graaf, sees the chance in the region. Born in Lower Bavaria, she came from the Canadian Vancouver to Cottbus to work on technologies to develop electrified air drive. She says: "I don't regret my decision. I can not only contribute technologically here, but also actively participate in structural change."

Overall, Lausitz faces the challenge of setting the course for the future. The will is there, but without sufficient specialists the change could be more slowly than hoped. The region is now looking for solutions to set the course for a successful transformation and to gain the necessary staff.