Cooperation and networking as drivers of sustainable regional development – experiences from the continuing education landscape in Western Saxony

Abstract

"Western Saxony faces major transformation challenges, leading to changes in qualification requirements. To close emerging gaps in novel qualifications and to strengthen regional innovation capacity, continuous vocational training becomes inevitable. This report examines a workshop event series and how both knowledge transfer between various actors in the continuous education landscape could be improved and regional networks strengthened. During the workshop series, participants highlighted interactive in-person formats for multi-perspective exchange, which can promote sustainable networking. Workshop event series with in-person formats can thus provide spaces for trust-based exchange that enable cross-organizational learning and strengthen regional cooperation structures. During the exchange, it became evident that the integration of digital technologies and the design of suitable learning formats pose a challenge for everyone. Artificial intelligence was understood as both learning content and a didactic tool. The results highlight the potential of such formats as a tool for vocational education for sustainable development." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))

Cite article

Hemming, N., Kropp, P., Schuhmann, S., Hein-Pensel, F. & Theuer, S. (2026): Kooperation und Netzwerkbildung als Motor nachhaltiger Regionalentwicklung – Erfahrungen aus der Weiterbildungslandschaft Westsachsens. In: Berufs- und Wirtschaftspädagogik - online, Vol. 50, p. 1-22.