Working conditions in industrialized nations have been undergoing profound change for some time now. These changes present Germany-both as a business location and as a welfare state-with the difficult task of combining economic growth with a high rate of employment, while simultaneously maintaining social cohesion. As a country with limited natural resources, Germany must foster and utilize each individual's employment potential. That this is not happening to a satisfactory degree in today's slow economy gives cause for concern. While young people are not well integrated into education and work environments, older people are dropping out of the workforce before their time.
Reversing these trends must rank as society's top priority in the years ahead. The employment situation can be improved permanently only if the employability of those people who have thus far been difficult to integrate into the labor market is increased and companies generate additional demand for labor. Employment networks are fueling efforts in this direction.