The following day the established WomenPower Congress kicks off, featuring an exciting program that will highlight career issues, success strategies and innovative forms of work.

The forward march of digitization is having a major impact on skill sets and work management, creating a new set of challenges every day. Within the context of Industry 4.0, the intelligent use of IT systems and communication networks is greatly increasing the level of productivity and flexibility in production. Whereas previously the focus was on the interconnectivity of plant and machines with scant attention paid to the employees involved, it is now time to focus on the human being within the context of this scenario – which is where the Future of Work in Industry Conference comes into the picture.

Richard David Precht to deliver opening keynote address

The Conference will be kicked off by well-known philosopher and writer Richard David Precht, who will deliver a keynote speech on "The Digital Revolution: Why Redecorating the Deck Chairs on the Titanic Isn't Enough". His talk will highlight whether the end of the "achievement-oriented society" brought about by digitization is necessarily a bad thing. In his eyes, digitization means above all the opportunity to live a more fulfilling, self-determined life. At the same time, he warns that a clear strategy must be developed to accomplish this and that substantial changes to our social system will be required.

Conference to focus on three thematic strands

Picking up on these ideas, the Conference will focus on the three central thematic strands of leadership, skills and tools. In a series of keynotes, deep-dive panels, panel discussions and best-case presentations, well-known speakers like Janina Kugel, Chief Human Resources Officer and Member of the Managing Board of Siemens, Kai Anderson, Partner at Promerit, and Christiane Benner, Deputy Chairperson of the IG Metall trade union, will present the expertise and skill sets required to make companies and their employees future-proof.

Bernd Osterloh, VW Works Council Chairperson, views change as an opportunity to forge a "Future Pact for Volkswagen"

For hourly and salaried employees, change is often associated with uncertainty and anxiety – making it all the more important to take them along the path of change and get them involved. Bernd Osterloh, Chairman of the General and Group Works Councils and Member of the Presiding Committee of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group, explains how this can be achieved within the framework of Germany's Social Partnership.

Let's get loud – Women in Industry

Women are still underrepresented in industrial management circles. Which is why they will be the focus of attention at the world's largest industrial trade fair, during the WomenPower event on 4 and 5 April. Under the motto "Let´s get loud – Women in Industry! Empower. Create. Succeed.", around 1,400 women will come together at this leading career congress to discuss and help shape current developments and challenges in the world of work in more than 40 practical workshops and best cases. Among the top speakers are Marion Rövekamp, Chief of Human Resources & Legal Affairs at EWE, Hanna Hennig, CIO of Osram, and Maria Ferraro, CFO of the Digital Factory at Siemens.

Networking and career planning

More than 50 companies, universities, associations, institutions and networks will be represented at the supporting exhibition, with exhibitors informing interested visitors on career perspectives and strategies, networking opportunities and support programs as well as labor policy trends and topics.

Spotlight on the STEM disciplines: Women Tec Day and awards ceremony

Running within the framework of WomenPower, "Women Tec Day" will take place on Thursday, 4 April. The topics discussed include the changing world of work, female leadership, digitization and the required expertise in the areas of leadership and new work. Women Tec Day is aimed at executives, high potentials and senior professionals.

Geared to junior executives, young professionals and students, Women Career Day will be staged on Friday, 5 April, offering in-depth information and live training on career planning themes. Many women are strongly committed to the STEM sector. To pay visible tribute to their extraordinary commitment, the Engineer Powerwoman Award will be presented during Networking Night on Thursday, 4 April, at 6:30 p.m.