ERFURT_ Another important support service for Thuringia's automotive and supplier industry companies was launched today, Friday, November 15, 2024: The fifth QTI node overall was opened in Rohr (Schmalkalden-Meiningen district). These facilities, four more of which already exist in Gotha, Eisenach, Sömmerda and Weberstedt, are decentralized exchange platforms and points of contact for companies in the industry. The name QTI refers to the core topics of qualification, transfer and innovation. The QTI nodes are supported by the regional transformation network ANeTT (Automotive Network Transformation Thuringia), which helps small and medium-sized enterprises master the major challenges in the areas of demographics, decarbonization and digitalization. This is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action. ANeTT is based on the concrete project work of a consortium consisting of the Thuringian State Development Corporation (LEG), the Erfurt Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK) and the Thuringian Innovation Center for Mobility (ThIMo) at TU Ilmenau. The concrete work in the respective QTI nodes is carried out by regional sponsors; in Rohr, this is the local Vocational Training and Technology Center (BTZ)
"The QTI nodes are intended in particular to bring the so important regional component in economic development to the fore," said Andreas Krey, Managing Director of LEG Thüringen. "Here in Rohr, as at the other locations, we specifically network the representatives of local companies, politics, chambers, universities and municipal economic development institutions." The decentralized approach with the regionally located but well-connected QTI nodes in the districts does not mean that district or state borders represent barriers. The opposite is the case: strong local and regional networks are important for supra-regional visibility. This is evident from the constructive relationships with regional transformation networks in other federal states, namely Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hesse, which the Thuringians have built up with their partners and maintain intensively.
A look at the participant list of today's opening event shows how well the project is being received across the board. Today, representatives from small and medium-sized as well as large companies in the automotive and supplier industry, from municipal and state politics, from universities, from initial and further training, and from employment agencies came together. These cooperation partners have already developed a lively dialogue in the region over the past years, which forms a foundation for the future work in the QTI node.
Welcome addresses were given by the District Administrator of the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district, Peggy Greiser, and Mike Kämmer, President of the Chamber of Skilled Crafts of Southern Thuringia. As part of the event, a discussion round also took place with stakeholders from business, science, and politics. Participants included Thomas Müller from the Thuringian Ministry of Economics, Tobias Wätzel, hydrogen expert at Boreas GmbH, and Frank Zinkann, former Chief Financial Officer at Opel. The topics covered the specific offerings of the QTI node for companies in the region, with a particular focus on the topic of qualification.
This area is managed and coordinated by the consortium partner IHK Erfurt; during today's opening event, a positive conclusion could be drawn for the already existing QTI nodes. "Our first pilot courses on the topics: 'Vehicle Components' and 'Industry 4.0/Digital Transformation' have started. The positive feedback from the participants pleased us greatly, and through recommendations, even replacement participants have joined,“ reported Michael Schemann from IHK Erfurt, who coordinates the conception and implementation of the pilot courses. "Overall, the measures are well received, and companies recognize the added value for themselves,“ he added. "Among other things, starting in January, we are offering a free course as part of ANeTT for becoming a specialist expert for hydrogen applications. There is already great interest from industrial companies, utilities, and municipal administration.“
The “ANeTT” project (Automotive Network Transformation Thuringia) for the transformation of the automotive and supplier industry in Thuringia is funded with a total amount of approx. 1.6 million euros from the “Future Fund for the Automotive Industry” by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action.
For more information about the project and the offerings of ANeTT, please visit the ANeTT project website: www.anett-thueringen.de.
