The team behind the project to design and pilot the “European Open Academy” continuing education academy (EurOpA for short) in the Upper Lusatia Innovation Region surveyed more than 200 regional companies about their future continuing education needs—specifically regarding learning content, learning formats, learning spaces, and factors that promote or hinder continuing education.

One of the results of this effort is a continuing education course specifically tailored to the needs of companies in our region: “Workplace 4.0—Digital Skills for Tomorrow’s Upper Lusatia.” Through in-person and online sessions, as well as a self-study phase—totaling twelve work units—the course covered the topics of communication and cooperation, including content on role and group processes, cultural and generational differences, De Bono’s “Six Thinking Hats” creativity technique, team communication using the web-based Podio platform, feedback methods, and various questioning techniques.

The participants gave the program consistently positive feedback. In particular, the active exchange on the opportunities and challenges posed by the digital transformation of the workplace, changing value chains, and climate protection measures made the importance of such interdisciplinary continuing education courses—for the qualification and motivation of employees as well as for strengthening the competitiveness of regional companies—more than clear.

Authors: Reno Rössel and Daniel Winkler