From Football to Securing Skilled Workers: Strong Impulses at the 6th CCI Forum

Impulses for the Future: 6th Skilled Workers Forum of the CCI in Magdeburg

September 11, 2025

Magdeburg – A full house, exciting presentations, and intense discussions: The 6th Skilled Workers Forum of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) in Magdeburg, held at the Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg, offered both a well-founded and inspiring exchange on the topic of securing skilled labor.

A particularly impressive contribution came from Dr. Ferber, who combined psychological insights with practical experience from her work. She emphasized that employees’ mental health and emotional well-being form the foundation of sustainable performance capacity. “We really should focus on reducing absenteeism. Those who drop out due to psychosocial illnesses were no longer fully productive for months beforehand,” said Ferber.

The figures underscored the urgency: In 2023, the number of sick days due to mental health issues was 3.2 days per person – an increase compared to 2022 (3.0 days). With 230 working days per year, this amounts to approximately 612,000 full-time employees being effectively withdrawn from the labor market. For companies, this means: prevention and employee retention are becoming decisive factors in the competition for skilled workers.

Practical Insights and International Perspectives

The day was moderated by Mathias Schönenberger, Advisor for Skilled Labor Development at CCI Magdeburg. He led engaging conversations with company representatives who are already successfully employing international professionals. Representatives from mediMesch GmbH, Henglein GmbH & Co. KG, and the Burg-Genthin-Zerbst Cooperative shared practical insights on how integration can succeed and offered valuable tips to entrepreneurs in the audience.

Dr. Holger Kolb from the Expert Council on Integration and Migration also provided important impulses. His presentation, “Targeted Labor Migration in Saxony-Anhalt – Current Situation and Opportunities for SMEs”, not only commented on new legal regulations but also highlighted opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to benefit from managed migration.

Sports Meets Business: Impulses from 1. FC Magdeburg

A highlight for many guests was Schönenberger’s conversation with Markus Fiedler, the new Head Coach of 1. FC Magdeburg. Fiedler reported from practice on how values, performance pressure, language diversity, and conflicts can be successfully managed in an international team. The decisive factor, according to Fiedler, is “the inner attitude of each player – it is an indispensable prerequisite for a successful team.”

The former VfB Stuttgart coach connected sporting experiences with transferable insights for companies: team leadership, motivation, and intercultural cooperation are just as essential in professional football as they are in business.

Showcase and Networking

The forum was accompanied by a showcase of Saxony-Anhalt’s personnel service providers, which offered participants the opportunity to establish contacts and discuss HR strategies.

The Gesellschaftshaus Magdeburg provided the perfect setting: an attractive venue that reinforced the constructive atmosphere of the forum.

Conclusion

The 6th Skilled Workers Forum of the CCI Magdeburg made it clear: securing skilled labor is much more than recruitment. Mental health, international cooperation, legal frameworks, and innovative recruitment approaches all belong together if companies want to remain competitive in the future.

Participants left not only with new contacts but above all with concrete impulses and actionable ideas. A strong signal that Saxony-Anhalt is determined to compete in the race for skilled labor.