"It is important to me that, in shaping our country's skilled labor strategy, we engage with those who are doing things especially well. And Röchling is doing so in a truly remarkable way," says Katja Mast, Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister of Labour and Social Affairs. “In times of transformation, it is not easy to ensure that the right skilled workers are in the right place. Companies therefore need to continue investing in training, even during challenging times. At the same time, it is crucial that we help everyone living in Germany find good employment opportunities while also attracting skilled workers from abroad. Demographic change, climate protection, and the combination of AI and digitalization make a strategic approach essential. The role of policymakers is to ensure that this strategy delivers real benefits. I am therefore grateful that we at the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs were able to be here on site and learn from the experiences of companies in the region.”

Training and Development as Keys to Success
Another key element of the event was a company panel discussion on securing skilled labor in the region. Among the speakers was Florian Helmich, CSO/CTO of Röchling Industrial, who highlighted the importance of training and professional development for the company’s sustainable growth.

"The training and development of our employees is of great importance to us. Many colleagues begin their careers at Röchling and continue to grow professionally through tailored development opportunities. The success of this approach is reflected in our workforce: around 25 percent of our employees completed their vocational training at Röchling," emphasizes Helmich. “Our goal is to train the skilled professionals of tomorrow and retain them within our company for the long term. We also benefit from the high quality of life in the Emsland region. It is not uncommon for former apprentices to return to us after completing their studies or gaining initial professional experience, bringing with them additional expertise and fresh perspectives.”

Strengthening the Region Through Collaboration
The event provided participants with opportunities to exchange ideas on current challenges and opportunities related to securing skilled labor through a series of workshop discussions. The insights and experiences gained are intended to help further strengthen regional networks and advance concrete measures for a future-ready labor market.

By hosting the Regional Skilled Labor Workshop, Röchling Industrial provided a platform for dialogue between policymakers, businesses, and other regional stakeholders. The focus was on practical approaches to securing skilled labor and on how companies and institutions can work together to shape the labor market of the future.



All photos by Jana Legeler