Abstract

In order to determine the impact of digitalization on the labour market in Lower Saxony and Bremen, we calculate the proportion of activities within an occupation that could already be replaced by the use of computers or computer-controlled machines. At 15.2 percent, the proportion of employment relationships with a very high substitutability potential of over 70 percent is slightly higher in Lower Saxony than the German average (14.9 percent). In Bremen, this proportion is 13.3%, which is significantly below the national average. This is primarily due to the economic structure in both federal states. On the one hand, both states have a strong economic pillar in the manufacturing sector, with branches such as automotive production and steel processing, among others, in which the highly substitutable production occupations are primarily found. On the other hand, the service sector offers a (compensating) counterweight with its less substitutable service occupations, for example in the transport and logistics sector or in the tourism industry. With regard to the requirements level of the activities, we see that expert occupations are largely protected, while activities in the helper and skilled worker sector, as well as specialist activities, have higher substitutability potential. In order to meet the challenges posed by the ongoing digitalization of the world of work, lifelong learning, company-based training and further education opportunities and tailor-made placements are becoming increasingly important.