Dr Michael Cirkel, ITA (Institute für Arbeit und Technik, Institute for Work and Technology) published an interesting paper in 2011. Like many nations, Germany is seeing an ageing population AND an expected shortfall in highly qualified staff.
Photo: Leif, Sandra and Michael
This has multiple effects for employers and working conditions. As the market for experienced personnel gets scarce, there is more pressure for employees to be more family friendly. However, other changes are needed. Since most careers for elderly relatives are in employment, their needs also need to be catered for. Furthermore, new strategies will be required to ensure companies remain innovative whilst having an older workforce.
The issues are currently suppressed by the economic situation but will resurface again as we come out of recession.
For us within the Tollé group, we also want to find solutions for an ageing population, that allow us to live independently longer. Institutional care is unlikely to match growth or even be desirable. We are actively pursuing novel solutions, with expert help, hence our link to Michael Cirkel.
Michael's paper is M. Circle & P. re, Enste11: Smart Ageing - der Spagat zwischen Pflege und Beruf: vom Umgang mit der alternden Belegschaft. Internet-Dokument. Gelsenkirchen: Inst. Arbeit und Technik. Forschung Aktuell, Nr. 01/2011
Other articles from visit to Tollé GmbH in June 2013:
Tollé GmbH off to a running start
How German banks support business
