SMEs in MV: Digitalization and further training in focus for 2025!

SMEs in MV: Digitalization and further training in focus for 2025!

The challenges facing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania are complex. According to a recent survey by University of Greifswald Companies face major challenges, particularly in the areas of recruiting skilled workers, qualification, digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI). In a survey with 510 participants, many companies reported their growing need for external support. More and more SMEs are already using external assistance offers or are planning to do so.

The annual survey, which focuses on future topics for 2025, has particularly shown the need for support for skilled workers and qualifications. This is particularly true for health and social services, where only 8% of the companies surveyed want to tackle the issue of skilled workers alone. The need for support in these areas does not go unnoticed in other industries.

Further training and digitalization

The importance of continuing education has recently increased, particularly in the areas of health and social care, scientific and technical services and industry. Around a third of the companies surveyed see digital future topics as extremely relevant for 2025. The focus is particularly on process digitalization and the use of AI.

In contrast, retail and trades attach less importance to digital issues. An astonishing number: 70% of SMEs have no further digital topics planned for 2025, and more than half already feel sufficiently digitized. These results illustrate the increasing need for strategic support and suitable framework conditions in order to successfully manage digital change.

The area of ​​further training is crucial, not only for optimizing internal processes, but also for increasing competitiveness. Forum Publisher emphasizes that further training in digitalization must be adapted to the changes brought about by Work 4.0 and Industry 4.0. Innovative formats and tailor-made seminars are necessary to overcome the challenges of digitalization.

The contribution of the future center

A central offer for companies is the Regional Future Center Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania+ project, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and the EU through the European Social Fund Plus (ESF Plus). The Future Center offers support, in particular through the Future Advisory Service at the University of Greifswald.

In the context of these developments, self-learning software like ChatGPT is making it increasingly clear that companies have to adapt to new technologies. Data protection and IT security are central topics for which employees must acquire basic knowledge in order to avoid data protection violations.

At a time when digitalization and artificial intelligence are rapidly changing the world of work, it is essential that companies act proactively. Messe Frankfurt, the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer, shows that bringing people together both physically and digitally represents a significant part of change. According to information from Frankfurt Trade Fair Around 4.4 million visitors and around 98,000 exhibiting companies are expected in 2024. This highlights the need for high-quality networking and the exchange of ideas on future trends.

The combination of necessary internal further training and external support offers could play a decisive role in successfully mastering the challenges mentioned and creating a future-proof corporate landscape in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.