Vision, January 2001, p. 13  (translated from German)

The way is pointed now
Confederation wants to support a more flexible and practically orientated education of the new IT generation

Saxony-Anhalt has founded the first regional confederation of IT industries in Germany, although there are certainly more and bigger IT companies in other federal states. The chairman of the confederation, Dirk Bartens, explains why the confederation is necessary.

Vision: Mr Bartens, do we need this confederation at all?

Bartens: Even a small state with a relatively small IT sector can achieve something if they put a bit of time and energy into it. For example, think of questions concerning the regulatory legislative basic conditions in the EU and Germany, especially the control and taxation of internet commerce or digital copyright. We need the same extent of security as on the traditional market. The way is pointed now and will be difficult to correct later on. That's why we as a confederation and Saxony-Anhalt as one of the federal states of Germany have to speak up.

Vision: The confederation as interest group for the IT industry in Saxony-Anhalt wants to do a great deal for improved basic conditions. What can be done?

Bartens: I'll name just two examples: Funds available from the EU, the Federal Government, and the Laender have to be used in the best possible way, especially for research, development and accumulation of capital resources. Public assignments should remain within the country. These are the conditions for the growth of the industry. But we also have committed ourselves to make people understand the work and the added value in the information society in order to make them accept it the same way mechanical engineering was accepted in the last centuries.

Vision: In no other industry so many experts are needed as in the IT industry. On the other hand hardly any companies in this country offer apprenticeships. What is the confederation going to do about the new IT generation?

Bartens: The main focus is going to be on the training in cooperation with educational institutions. Currently education even in new IT professions is running behind the technological development. We as a confederation of IT industries want to work towards more flexible forms and contents of the training courses by advising the educational institutions. At the same time we have to promote that education and further training are indispensable investments for a company in our industry.

Vision: Can every company in the country join the confederation?

Bartens: We welcome every company from the IT, multimedia and telecommunictions sector that is based in Saxony-Anhalt. The response is very positive, we have had many inquiries.

On the 6th of November 15 companies in Saxony-Anhalt founded the Confederation of IT and Multimedia Industry. The board consists of Dirk Bartens (chairman) and Ramona Wonneberger and Klemens Gutmann (vice chairmen). Jens-Peter Kreft is CEO. Various committees of experts have been formed for economic, legal and social basic conditions as well as for education, the job market and social matters. In the months to come the confederation is going to organize roadshows all over the country.

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