Give and Take

In order to get young people excited about technology and technical occupations, Otto Bock HealthCare is once again represented with its own booth at IdeenExpo from September 5 through 13, 2009. The company supports this unique project because it emphasises education and the promotion of new talent.

31 young people recently started their vocational training at Otto Bock. After they complete their apprenticeships, there is a good chance they can stay with the company. “The human factor, the right employee in the right position, is crucial to the success of SMEs,” says Professor Hans Georg Näder, chairman and CEO of Otto Bock. In regards to the looming shortage of skilled employees due to current demographic trends, inspiring new talent for the company is important.

“We work closely with education centres, technical colleges and universities in order to ensure we will continue to have qualified, dedicated and highly motivated employees in the future. We recruit the best students and graduates in addition to opening our doors for internships, scientific projects and graduates ,” Professor Hans Georg Näder continues. The give and take relationship between science and the economy also includes his position as honorary professor at the private Göttingen University of Applied Sciences, where he shares his experience as an entrepreneur with the students.

As a global company, Otto Bock offers numerous prospects: For example, apprentices can work in one of the foreign branches in the third year of their apprenticeship, making use of this experience for their personal and professional development. Pursuing a course of studies in conjunction with employment or attending the master school is possible in several areas of the company. Employees can also take advantage of the varied training and continuing education seminars offered by the company’s own Otto Bock Academy.

“We see qualification training as an investment. Job requirements are increasing. The complexity of our high-tech products requires lifelong learning as well as continuous, high-quality training for our skilled employees,” says Professor Hans Georg Näder. This is why Otto Bock offers its employees extensive individual qualification options on all levels. In addition to technical aspects, the importance of social skills is also increasing steadily. That is why topics such as working methods, software applications and foreign languages are on the seminar schedule along with employee leadership, conflict management, communication training and the like. A global approach to qualification measures is also important. Employees become acquainted with different lifestyles and learn to surmount cultural barriers during projects abroad.