An interview with Dr.-Ing. Markus Urner, Managing Director of IWT Wirtschaft und Technik GmbH
We live in an increasingly complex world, and this trend is accelerating significantly in both our private and our professional lives. What skills are needed to keep up with these changes? In this interview for TRANSFER, Dr.-Ing. Markus Urner, Managing Director of IWT Wirtschaft und Technik GmbH, emphasizes that lifelong learning is one of the critical core competencies for the future. Without this capability, neither businesses nor society as a whole will be able to successfully cope with current and future challenges.
Dr. Urner, IWT’s motto is “Innovation.Networking.Research – regionally and beyond”. Why did you choose this wording?
IWT is a spin-off from the Ravensburg Friedrichshafen campus of Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW). So it has always had links to university research right from the outset. Another key aspect is continuing professional development, which is fundamental to fostering the talented professionals who are crucial to enabling innovation and driving cutting-edge developments. We want to innovate and create knowledge through our own research and through research collaboration with our partners. Most innovations come about when different ideas, sometimes from different industries, are combined. Networking is a vital tool for implementing this principle of combining different ideas – and is very much a part of our DNA. Together, these three aspects make up our motto, which also references our strong ties to our base in the Lake Constance region. This part of the motto highlights the fact that, although we focus on the businesses, universities and municipalities in our region, we also cooperate with a much wider network of partners throughout Germany and in neighboring countries. Our motto reflects the combination of these two aspects while conveying the fact that knowledge transfer is one of IWT’s main priorities, and that we want this network to keep growing and adding value for everyone involved.
What role do you think these themes will play in the future?
Innovation is the fuel for the economy and its industrial enterprises. If you’re low on fuel, the engine has to run slower, so you’ve less chance of keeping up with or better still getting ahead of the market. Strong networks among businesses and between businesses and research institutions promote the development of innovations through mutual dialog and knowledge transfer. In the future, this will be an increasingly important aspect of resilience in the face of global developments. The foundation is basic and industrial research in research institutions. The combination of both types of research is central to enabling effective innovation and strengthening German industry. That’s why I think it’s absolutely vital to consider them both together rather than separately. IWT has devoted itself to this task and developed various ways of creating the conditions to instill this concept and drive it forward.
One area IWT specializes in is professional development. Which skills and competencies will businesses increasingly be looking for in the future?
Companies are facing major challenges in a constantly changing, digitalized world where technological innovations and social trends play such an important role. As a result, they are increasingly looking for professionals with a mix of technical, social and cognitive skills. Digital technology and data processing competencies will be critically important in the future, since businesses will be employing data-driven decision-making and routinely using advanced technologies like artificial intelligence, machine learning and automation. Given the growing importance of protecting data and digital infrastructures, there is particularly strong demand for employees with programming, data analysis and cybersecurity skills.
At the same time, demand is also increasing for soft skills that allow people to successfully navigate dynamic, collaborative environments. Skills like creative problem-solving, critical thinking and emotional intelligence are gaining in importance, since they enable the development of innovative approaches and efficient teamwork.
In addition, resilience, adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning are qualities that are increasingly sought-after by companies, reflecting the rate at which job requirements are changing as a result of technological advances and social trends. Sustainability and ethical practices are also moving up the agenda, especially in the shape of environmental and social responsibility. Accordingly, professionals who live and breathe these values and allow them to inform their business decisions have a clear advantage over the competition.
How can IWT offer businesses targeted support in this area?
The changes that automation and digitalization have brought about in the mechanical engineering industry call for completely new skills, competencies and knowledge from outside of employees’ own fields. They must be able to respond to the complex changes within their own job, communicate with other disciplines and coordinate interdisciplinary work. This is the aim of our adaptive professional development program for mechanical engineers, which equips them with the knowledge and skills they need to master the areas of expertise that are set to become important in the future. As well as covering new technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence, visualization with AR/VR, and sensors and actuators, the program also includes more general topics like learning new management methods and interdisciplinary communication and work in diverse teams. Our adaptive professional development program is eligible for funding through the Qualification Opportunities Act, so businesses can apply for course fee subsidies. All the professional development modules are also available individually and as in-house training. Modules include project and innovation management, software engineering, systems engineering, Industry 4.0, data analysis, artificial intelligence, additive manufacturing, robotics and computer vision.
We also offer robot operating system (ROS) training. Participants learn the basics of the open-source robotics framework ROS 2 software, developed using ROS 2 tools. ROS 2 is being more and more widely used for applications such as robot manipulators, service robots, drones and autonomous vehicles. During our three-day training course, participants learn the basics of ROS 2, acquiring the skills and competencies they need to configure and use ROS 2-based software solutions.
In addition, our regular “Staff Development and Regional Implementation” peer group provides an extensive knowledge and dialog platform aimed specifically at professional and managerial staff. It allows participants to engage in in-depth discussion of current and future staff development issues and learn from each other. One of the key themes is lifelong learning, which is critically important in an increasingly dynamic workplace. We discuss how businesses can create and promote a learning culture in order to continuously develop their employees’ professional expertise and prepare them for the requirements of the future.
We also focus on the future of training, discussing the latest trends and innovations in the training sector, such as digital learning formats, hybrid training models and the growing importance of soft skills in vocational training. As well as this, we address the challenges and opportunities of intergenerational communication. In a workforce that is increasingly made up of several different generations – from baby boomers to Gen Z –, it’s vital to develop effective communication strategies that support productive collaboration and mutual understanding.
Our peer group provides an invaluable space to discuss practical approaches to these issues, share best practices and develop joint solutions that address both specific regional factors and global developments.
Contact
Dr.-Ing. Markus Urner (interviewee)
Managing Director
IWT Wirtschaft und Technik GmbH (Friedrichshafen)
www.iwt-bodensee.de