i-work 2024 – Review

Dr Eike Dazert – Managing Director medways e.V.

“I am delighted to be part of the jury for the 5th time now and therefore also part of the selection process. In my view, the award is a great way of making the commitment of many companies, and especially the employees who work there, visible and giving these many positive examples a stage. In my view, telling the stories of people who get stuck in and make things a little better – on a large and small scale – is an important way of showing the Thuringia I like to live in.”

Stephanie Hänsch – Deputy Chairwoman of the Board Jena Digital e.V.

“In our Jena Digital network, almost all members are faced with the challenge of finding sufficient suitable personnel around Jena to be able to achieve the desired growth. I am therefore delighted to learn from companies in the region about the measures and strategies that are already being successfully implemented to facilitate the recruitment, integration and long-term retention of international specialists. I hope that we will be able to strengthen the experiences of the participating companies and the mutual exchange of ideas.”

Dr Claudia Hillinger – Head of International Office, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

“Internationalisation is an important cross-sectional task in academic life. However, it is not only of strategic importance for universities, but also for their locations and their regional environment. The international appeal of the university with its international students and academic guests offers an opportunity that must be utilised to attract and retain specialists. Building bridges between the university, the city and the labour market is becoming increasingly important in order to show our graduates career paths, to support them in building networks and to jointly create attractive framework conditions and cosmopolitanism. Recognising the intercultural commitment of companies here and making it visible, acting together, is an important concern for me.”

Janina Kühn – Branch Manager TRIDELTA CAMPUS Hermsdorf e.V.

“At TRIDELTA CAMPUS, cultural diversity and entrepreneurial vision go hand in hand: as a high-tech cluster, we promote an environment of tolerance, respect and intercultural coexistence.”

Prof Dr Kristin Mitte – Vice President for Research and Development at the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena

“I am convinced that cooperation between people from different cultures and countries enriches the regional economy and society. Openness, exchange and tolerance are decisive factors for success in the future. As Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences Jena, we are rooted in the region in various areas, including through international students and graduates who work here. I am very much looking forward to the jury’s work and the opportunity to set an example together and learn from each other. By recognising the achievements of companies and businesses from very different sectors, we can hopefully encourage others to open up to intercultural cooperation and make use of everyone’s potential. For a Thuringia worth living in.”

Anke Siegmeier – Managing Director OptoNet e.V.

“Without international skilled workers, we will not be able to maintain the success and prosperity of our region. We need visibility for all the many good examples of integration that we can already find here in order to encourage others and contribute to a cosmopolitan and people-friendly climate. The i-work is a wonderful initiative that we support wholeheartedly. As representatives of industry, we must work to ensure that people are happy to come to Jena and stay here. The i-work is an important building block for this.”

Anna Uslowa – Kindersprachbrücke Jena e.V.

“A tolerant and appreciative society is very important to me. To achieve this, it is necessary to radiate best practice into society. The award is a wonderful format, not only to sensitise society, but also to reward companies that consciously choose internationality through their attitude and openness and implement it with concrete concepts and ideas.”

Manuela Vogt – Managing Director of the Jena/Saale-Holzland District Craftsmen’s Association

“It is important to include international employees in the skilled trades and will remain an important topic in the future. Working styles, creativity and innovation in the skilled trades promote diversity and cultural exchange. Working in the skilled trades offers an opportunity to contribute to society, learn new skills and become financially independent. This contributes to equal opportunities and promotes a diverse working environment.”

Gerd Wolski – Thuringian Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs, Health, Women and Family

“For me, being part of the i-work award jury is important for two main reasons. On the one hand, the issue of securing and recruiting skilled labour is the biggest challenge facing Germany in general and the Free State of Thuringia in particular in the coming years. If it is not possible to provide the economy with sufficient skilled labour in the future, Germany as a business location will be at risk in the long term. On the other hand, I believe the i-work award is a suitable instrument for successfully countering the xenophobic resentment that is so prevalent in the population. Encounters often create a basis for discussing the topic of migration.”