Expanding technical expertise and developing or refining leadership skills – these topics were the focus of personnel development strategies, even whilst the pandemic was ongoing.
Training programmes for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's employees continued digitally during the COVID-19 pandemic and were thematically adapted to the new challenges. For example, the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut offered its employees online workshops on the topics of "virtual leadership and cooperation" and "dealing with change". External trainers, coaches and social counsellors supported the personnel development team of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut in carrying out the workshops.
In order to ensure the future viability of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, it is essential to prepare employees for future challenges. This can be done by providing them with the necessary technical expertise and skills in change management. The digital workplace transformation was accelerated by the pandemic and will continue in the post-pandemic years. The personnel development team has provided continuous support to employees, even whilst implementing the structural changes within the context of the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's reorganisation.
The management forum in November 2022 was fittingly focused on the topics of "Leadership During Change" and "Leadership and Personnel Development". Following the discussions that took place during the forum, three project groups consisting of management and employees were set up to cover the following topics:
The concepts developed in the project groups are intended to be anchored and implemented in the central personnel development strategies. The aim is for the Paul-Ehrlich-Institut's employees to actively shape their workplace environment and to have opportunities for personal development. Career and training perspectives will be further expanded to help meet this goal.
It is important to us that the management team expands their expertise in change management in order to support employees in dealing with upcoming changes and seeing change as an opportunity.
Marco Frech (Head of the Human Resources Unit)