In this episode of the SAATKORN spin-off ‘amtlich voran’, I speak to Franziska Steiger, Senior Head of HR at the Association of Municipal Enterprises (VKU). Franziska is responsible for numerous HR initiatives for around 1,600 municipal enterprises in Germany – ranging from municipal utilities and water companies to waste management and telecommunications firms. One quote from the conversation has particularly stuck in my mind: “Even though the labour market has eased off slightly at the moment, we mustn’t slacken our efforts now when it comes to employer appeal and securing skilled workers.”
Among other things, we discussed the following topics:
⚡ The shortage of skilled workers remains a long-term challenge
The labour market currently appears more relaxed than it did just a few years ago. Yet demographic trends tell a different story: around 40 per cent of employees in the municipal sector will retire over the next 10 to 15 years. Franziska explains why local government employers must invest in visibility, recruitment and strategic HR development right now.
🚀 How ‘KommunalKann’ raises the profile of an entire sector
Many young people have no idea what local authority organisations actually do – even though they benefit from their work every day. Through the ‘KommunalKann’ employer initiative, the VKU is highlighting the people and professions behind electricity, water, the internet, waste management and the energy transition. Authentic insights and creative formats generate millions of contacts within the relevant target groups.
🤖 AI, further training and new job profiles
From drones for sewer inspection to AI-supported processes: the municipal sector is in the midst of a transformation. Franziska explains why reskilling, further training and close collaboration between HR, IT and management are becoming crucial. The key question is not whether jobs are changing – but how you can successfully prepare people for these changes.
🔗 Further links
- LinkedIn: Franziska Steiger
- VKU: Website
- Kommunal kann website
- Spotify playlist featuring all previous ‘amtlich voran’ episodes
- ‘amtlich voran’ website featuring podcasts, webinars and all the information on the ‘amtlich voran’ forum on 1 October 26
‘amtlich voran’ is a collaboration between EMBRACE and the ZEIT Publishing Group.
🎧 Listen now – if you want to find out how local authority organisations are tackling demographic change, strengthening their employer brand and preparing for AI and digital transformation, then you shouldn’t miss this episode.