Photo: DPA

Germany can create four million new jobs

Published: 11 Aug 09 17:44 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20090811-21179.html

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the Social Democratic Party’s chancellor candidate, announced last week a plan to create full employment in Germany by 2020. Rejecting criticism he’s being unrealistic, he argues his political opponents offer no alternative.

ADVERTISING
We were making progress – in September 2008, unemployment numbers were down by nearly two million when compared to the record high back in 2005. But the crisis has set us back – 3.4 million people are unemployed in Germany. They’re looking for a job. They’re looking for affirmation and recognition from their efforts. They want to be responsible for their own life with a job and an income. Work offers dignity. They don’t want to have to rely on government handouts. Unemployment takes away the qualifications workers have earned. Unemployment demoralizes. Unemployment destroys families.

But we can’t give in to unemployment. We have to fight it – using the right policies, with the right public stimulus and by using our combined strength. Smart crisis management is vital. But we also have to escape all the rhetoric. We have to take a fresh perspective and look forward.

A week ago I presented my “Plan for Germany” – with an ambitious goal: full-employment by 2020. Since then, our country has been discussing my proposal and the jobs of the future. Where will the new jobs come from in the next decade? That is the key question for our society’s future and the fact that the wall of silence is broken is an early victory.

As expected, the reaction was mixed. Many are intrigued and some are even impressed. But others are more reserved and critical. They agree with my goals but doubt whether my ideas for new jobs – with a focus on resource-conserving, energy-saving technologies as well as new materials, products and processes, and specialisation in product-related services – are realistic.

The political opposition refuses to join the battle against unemployment. They have no concepts, no answers. Last week I was on a tour of Germany to see for myself how we can create four million new jobs. The Ruhr Valley is a good example. No other city has had to remake itself as radically as Dortmund. Some 70,000 new jobs in 10 years – that’s the goal. There are already 38,000 new jobs. Dortmund hasn’t yet crossed the finish line but it’s going in the right direction. And what’s true for Dortmund is true for Germany.

When I talk about four million new jobs, it isn’t an empty promise. I don’t think the government can create these new jobs. But we can reach four million new jobs by 2020 if we create the right conditions. So I took a hard look at where, in the next decade, markets for new products and services will arise and what kind of shape German companies are in as they approach the starting line.

Germany is already ahead when it comes to green technologies. In the next decade, companies around the world will try to use energy and raw materials more efficiently – because the global population is growing and because the climate is already changing. And because it saves money. This is creating demand for a whole raft of new, energy-saving technologies for transportation, buildings and households as well as industrial production and environmentally-friendly energy generation. By 2020, the global market for green technologies will double. This could mean two million new jobs for Germany. Studies back this up.

A strong production base in Germany is also good for the services sector. Two industries affect the development of services in particular: health care and the creative sector. Everyone knows Germany is getting older. And the number of care personnel already lags demand. Person-to-person services will grow. And the companies in the pharmaceutical, biological and medical equipment sectors are already preparing for a shift towards greyer demographics. Growth markets aren’t just at home – and German companies lead abroad. There are also new treatment models, health care IT and health care software. Studies from the Institute for Work and Technology as well as nearly all major consultancies show that at least one million new jobs could be created in health care by 2020. This isn’t a dream – in the last 15 years, one million new jobs have been created here.

Four million new jobs by 2020 – by exploiting the growth opportunities explained here, it’s realistic. A look back also confirms this – given the right conditions, strong job growth is possible within just a few years. In the boom years of 2005 to 2008, 1.6 million new jobs were created in Germany; unemployment fell by a third to 3.3 million.

But how can politicians clear the way for the jobs of the future? The most important thing is ensuring a good education for everyone. That is the forerunner of not only a fair social policy but also a successful economy. Without a massive education push that includes new approaches for schools in difficult neighbourhoods we face a predicament – high unemployment on the one hand and a lack of qualified employees on the other.

By the middle of the next decade, we will be short one million university graduates and up to 500,000 highly qualified workers. But more and better education costs money. We have to significantly increase our investments in education in the coming years. To finance this, top earners should make a contribution to show their solidarity. This will increase the quality of education and training in our country.

While travelling through Germany, I met people who work in companies, research institutes and associations that are striving to create the jobs of tomorrow. In Jena, in Ulm, in Braunschweig and in Chemnitz. Or even in Dortmund – it doesn’t matter where, it’s possible anywhere. Because these individuals don’t back down. They’re inspired by their ideas. They prove to me that we can achieve ambitious goals in Germany. That full employment is possible. We can’t give up on that goal – especially not now!

Frank-Walter Steinmeier is Germany’s foreign minister and the Social Democratic Party’s candidate to become chancellor in this September’s general election. Translation by The Local.

The Local (news@thelocal.de)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This Facebook  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

21:08 August 15, 2009 by Navavar
Mr Steinmeier is not kidding anybody. He is certainly able to create not only four million jobs, but even doublefold. For public servants, I mean.
09:24 August 18, 2009 by tech71
It seems politicans everywhere spout the same election rhetoric.
00:12 August 20, 2009 by Digmen1
Yes great ideas

But I don't think it will happen.

Germany still had millions of unemployed over the last few years when they were very rich and exporting heaps.

China is starting to make everything Germany does and far cheaper.

Eg they bought one German high speed magnetic train, copied it and now make their own !

They are making solar panels cheaper than Germany

And they are making wind turbines cheaper than Germany.

These three examples are all fields where Germany is supposed to lead the world.

Until we in the west either lower our wages (and everything else) or stop free trade and stop importing everything from China there will be no long term recovery.
19:29 September 14, 2009 by Johnnysurf
Politicians have NO CLUE as to how things are for "the average Joe." I don't care how many jobs they say they will create - the government and the banks are more a part of the problem than the solution. Read my comment to the Micro-credit article and see what they did to me - and I'm sure I am not alone.

I have been a hard working (or wanting very badly to work) resident of this country for over 16 years, and this is what I get for it:

This is exactly the kind of thing I have been waiting to see in this country. As an American, it is UNBELIEVABLE how difficult it is to start a business here in Germany.

I recently decided to go ahead with my dream of establishing an English Training Center - English Reader (See my ad in the Market Place) because I got tired of being in and out of work for years. The only thing I can get these days is "zeitarbeit," which for most of us who have done it is the latest form of slave labor.

Since it is easier to rob a bank than to get a loan from one over here (please don't go out and rob a bank), I applied for a "Gründungszuschuss." After mountains of paperwork and extensive conversations between my tax adviser and the Arbeits Agentur I actually received it, with the assurance that the money I receive would not be counted against my Harts IV payments.

Overjoyed, I started purchasing some of the things I need for my business. Then the shock came - I was informed by the ABO (the Harts IV folks) that I would not be receiving any more money from them "because I get a Gründungszuschuss." And the Arbeits Agenture (I was getting both Hartz IV and a little normal Arbeitslose money because even though I worked almost 2 years for my last zeitarbeit firm before they let me go, I did not earn enough to not need assistance) told me that I have to pay back the last payment they sent me "because I got my first Gründungszuschuss payment during that period.

Needless to say I am in deep doo-doo. How in the HECK am I supposed to start a business AND pay my mortgage AND pay our other bills all with that "Gründungszuschuss?"

All I wanted was a fair chance to get out of my unemployment situation by starting my own business. I sure hope I will be able to get some of that Micro-credit - if I have not lost everything by then :-(
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
For comment quoting and other advanced formatting features,
try posting via this article's discussion forum page instead.
Today's headlines
Photo: DPA

Match-fixing ring rocks European football

Some 200 football matches in nine European countries including at least three Champions League games may have manipulated in a huge match-fixing scandal, German prosecutors said on Friday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: a screenshot of taz.de

Editorial feud erects artistic six-metre penis

In a massive escalation of a long-standing editorial feud, the newspaper Die Tageszeitung has unveiled an artwork depicting the naked editor-in-chief of its right-wing rival Bild sporting a six-metre penis up the façade of its headquarters. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Disabled woman fired for eating pâté meant for patients

A disabled Hannover woman working at a nursing home has been fired after 18 years on the job for eating pâté intended for patients, daily Hannoversche Allgemeine Zeitung reported on Friday. READ (15 COMMENTS) »

A file photo of Hitler in 1925 at an NSDAP meeting in Bavaria. Photo: DPA

France finds lost spy file on young Hitler

Secret French intelligence service documents on the young Adolf Hitler have surfaced in the country’s national archives, daily Le Monde reported on Friday. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Von der Leyen moots expanded child subsidy for poor families

German Family Minister Ursula von der Leyen has proposed expanding a monthly child subsidy for low income parents, daily Passauer Neue Presse reported on Friday. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Defence minister expects Karzai to take action

NATO countries expect "more than just words" from Afghan President Hamid Karzai after he promised to combat corruption, German Defence Minister Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg said Thursday. READ (3 COMMENTS) »

Photo: DPA

Springlike highs expected for weekend

Anyone planning a weekend outing will enjoy sunshine and springlike temperatures in the coming days as a high pressure system moves over the Alps and into central Germany, the DWD weather service reported on Friday. READ »

Photo: DPA

Chestnut tree kills pedestrian

A 47-year-old Frankfurt woman died late on Thursday after a chestnut tree suddenly fell and crushed her, police reported. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

More Analysis & Opinion
Highlights
Photo: DPA
SOCIETY »
Born amid Cold War rivalry yet loved by children on both sides of the Iron Curtain, Germany’s bedtime TV character the Sandman celebrates his 50th birthday this weekend

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Jobs in Germany, in English

579 jobs in Germany, in English
323 new jobs this week
0 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Latest news from The Local in Sweden
Blog
Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

News from the Goethe-Institut
News from Young Germany
News from DeutschlandOnline
Advertising 2.0
MARKETPLACE - promote your business to half a million targeted readers a month on The Local. Find great products and services in Germany or tell The Local's readers about your own business.
CLICK HERE>>>
Sales manager - Berlin
The Local is seeking a talented and experienced media sales professional for our online advertising sales in Germany
FULL JOB DETAILS
Best Foreign exchange rates dealing - all major currencies
Foreign Currency Direct voted as offering the best exchange rates. All currency exchange transactions are managed by Ben Amrany. We guarantee that readers of The Local/Toytown receive a 5 star service
FULL DETAILS HERE>>>
Editorial intern - Berlin
The Local needs an editorial intern at its office in Berlin starting in January
FULL JOB DETAILS
JOB: Account Executive Global Brand Team
Edelman, the worlds largest privately owned PR agency, is looking for a native English speaking Account Executive (m/f) for the Global Team in Hamburg (starting in January 2010)
FULL JOB DETAILS
Food and drink gift baskets
We offer a wide range of exquisite and unique hampers, elegantly decorated for all occasions. Our service is first class and allows you to send personalised baskets to your loved ones across Europe.
FIND OUT MORE
Snappy summary of the week's best stories
The newsletter is sent out every Friday with an easily swallowed digest of the week's happenings allowing you to pepper your conversations with nuggets of news about the issues of the hour.
SIGN UP HERE>>>

The Local Europe GmbH
Linienstrasse 214
10119 Berlin
Germany