ng i c A ff a i r s, L a b o u r a n d H o u si
nom f Eco try o is Min
Europe even in the age of digitalization. In addition to the digital solutions already mentioned above, and especially in the context of Industry 4.0, we aim to bring digitalization as part of Economic Sector Initiative 4.0 to every part of Baden-Württemberg. That is why we plan to promote the establishment of regional “digital hubs”. These digital hubs will serve as regional research beacons for digital innovation and transformation. They will provide venues for companies, start-ups and other major players, e.g. from the field of research, while also sharing experience with digital technologies and promoting the joint development of digital projects. We are also promoting innovative transfer projects in the area of digitalization of the economic sector in order to turn research insights into added commercial value. We also started a model project in July, 2017 to test a “digitalization reward” as an incentive to small and medium enterprises to take concrete steps in digitalization. The New Work World How to shape the World of Work 4.0 is a central concern of our Ministry for Economic Affairs. After all, the intelligent, flexibly responsive production plant of the future will require an optimum interaction of human beings, technology, and organization. New challenges will face the working population. We must do a good job of preparing today's employees and the coming generation for this oncoming transformation of the working world. That is why we are promoting the establishment of 16 “Learning Factories 4.0” at vocational training schools in Baden-Württemberg. These Learning Factories, which are based on real industry standards, will make the abstract concept of Industry 4.0 tangible for the coming generation and today's employees. A large number of companies, chambers of commerce and other regional players are helping to design the layout of the schools. No other German state can
We need creative, courageous researchers who are willing and able to see beyond their own noses. Dr. Nicole Hoffmeister-Kraut, MdL arliamentary Minister of Baden-Württemberg for Economic Affairs
boast of such intensive initiatives for disseminating the areas of competence required for Industry 4.0 to every part of Baden-Württemberg. We also focus on management-level personnel, since they are the ones who in future will no longer solve complex problems alone but must help their employees to develop the required competence and abilities. Here the topic of flexible, mobile work is also a challenge which will require more and more attention from management-level personnel. Digitalization of the working world also raises questions of work law, some of which cannot be fully foreseen at present and cannot be fully answered on the political level in a way that applies equally to all those involved. This will call for genuine leeway on the shop floor. At the same time, we still need clear guidelines, simply because it would be
FORSCHUNG LEBEN 09. 2017
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