Saxony-Anhalt's Bold Plan to Save Jobs and Skills Amid Industrial Upheaval
The IG Metall union is pushing for a statewide job-to-job network in Saxony-Anhalt. The proposal aims to help workers transition directly into new roles without facing unemployment. Union leaders argue this approach would protect valuable skills and stabilise the region's industrial base during major economic shifts. Saxony-Anhalt's industrial sector is under pressure from decarbonisation, digital transformation, and global political changes. At the same time, an ageing workforce adds to the challenges. IG Metall's regional director, Thorsten Gröger, warned against forcing skilled employees out of work only to struggle later to rehire them. He stressed that companies should first explore internal solutions to retain expertise before looking at external job transitions.
The union's plan focuses on creating a permanent system to manage industrial change responsibly. Instead of reacting to layoffs, the network would proactively match workers with new opportunities in growing sectors. This would secure careers, strengthen local supply chains, and make the region's economy more resilient. IG Metall will now hold talks with the state government, employer groups, and the regional employment agency. The goal is to link existing labour market projects into a single, long-term network. Such a system would address the imbalance between industries shedding staff and those desperate for qualified workers. While other German states have programmes for workforce training and international qualifications, none have a dedicated job-to-job transition scheme. The Saxony-Anhalt initiative would be the first of its kind, designed to keep skills within the region rather than losing them to unemployment or relocation.
The proposed network would prevent skills shortages by moving workers smoothly between jobs. Discussions with officials and employers are set to begin soon. If successful, the model could become a blueprint for managing industrial change across Germany.
