Background information

The "Transformation Pilots" project is a social partnership project that has been supporting companies across Germany since autumn 2020 in dealing with far-reaching structural changes. The aim is to provide employees with practical training to become specialists in digital transformation and change management. The project is supported by the employers' associations of Lower Saxony and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) of Lower Saxony, in cooperation with the “Educational Association of the Lower Saxony Economy” (BNW) and the “Educational Association Work and Life” (AUL). The focus is on middle management in production and production-related areas. The training programme supports them in their role as multipliers and initiators of innovation and change within the company. Expertise hubs, learning network structures, also facilitate the exchange of knowledge and experience across industries. The aim is to create a sustainable basis for successful transformation processes in companies.

Content of measure

The qualification programme of the Transformation Pilots project enables employees to successfully manage change in companies. It provides in-depth knowledge of future working and production environments, methods of assessing needs and skills, and facilitating and organising workshops. It also focuses on supporting organisational and learning processes, applying modern working methods and acquiring future skills. The programme is aimed at employees at master craftsman or technician level, as well as quality management specialists who have a technical understanding and in-depth knowledge of business processes. The focus is on middle management in technical production and production-related areas. The full-time programme lasts four weeks, or longer in a part-time format. There are various funding options, for example from the Public Employment Service (Qualification Opportunities Act), job centres or pension and accident insurance funds. Cost coverage depends on individual requirements and can be applied for from the above institutions.

Use of measure

No data are currently available on the number of training courses or participants actually involved in the Transformation Guides project. However, the final report of the 'Energy Transition Taskforce' of the nationwide Alliance for Skilled Workers highlights Lower Saxony's 'Transformation Partnership'. In particular, the Transformation Guides training project is cited as a successful example of involving workers and enterprises in the transformation process.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Applies to all workers	Applies to all businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Social partners jointly Trade unions Employers' organisations Other social actors (e.g. NGOs) Public employment service	Employees National funds Social partners jointly

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative	Agreed (outcome) incl. social partner initiative
Form	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies	Consultation through tripartite or bipartite social dialogue bodies

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Social partners jointly
• Main level of involvement: Regional or local level

Involvement

The ‘Transformation Guides’ social partnership project was largely initiated and supported by the Lower Saxony employers' associations and the DGB Lower Saxony. The social partners were involved on their own initiative in order to shape the transformation together and support employees and companies.

Both partners are involved in the design, implementation and monitoring of the programme. They ensure that the content of the training programme is practical and addresses the needs of companies and employees.

Views and reactions

The social partners support the ‘Transformation Guides’ programme. Both the Lower Saxony employers' associations and the DGB Lower Saxony rate the project positively, as it specifically addresses the challenges of digital transformation and actively involves both companies and employees. Employers praise the practical training and the promotion of innovation by internal multipliers. The employee side sees the programme as an important opportunity to strengthen employees for future requirements and increase their job security. Both sides see the project as a successful example of social partnership co-operation in transformation processes.

Sources

• 11 September 2020: Shaping transformation in the automotive industry from the inside out (niedersachsen.dgb.de)
• 23 June 2023: Alliance for Transformation Skilled Labour Taskforce Report on the results of the task force to ensure the availability of skilled labour in the context of the transformation of the energy system (www.bundesregierung.de)
• 12 July 2023: Lower Saxony project is a pioneer in transformation (niedersachsen.dgb.de)
• 29 November 2024: Qualification as a ‘specialist for digital transformation and change management’ (transformation pilot) and development of competence hubs (transformationslotsen.aul.app)