Workation, coaching chatbots and upskilling were topics at LEARNTEC xChange

Free time in the morning, work in the evening? Coaching with chatbots? Suddenly doing a job that has never been done before?
Concepts such as workation, digital teaching and re/upskilling are currently shaking up the world of work and life. This is precisely why they were core topics at LEARNTEC xChange – the online format of Europe’s largest congress trade fair for digital education .

From January 31 to February 2, LEARNTEC xChange was all about development trends in the world of digital learning, living and working:
13 free online presentations. 29 speakers. Over 2,300 registered online participants. Expert panels and interactive discussions. Exchange and networking for interested parties.
All this summarized under the key question: In which directions is the education industry developing?

Getting to know concepts and thinking ahead

For example, Frank Roth, CEO of AppSphere AG, spoke to over 500 interested audience members about the pros and cons of “Workation – The new way of work and life?” – by which he meant working anywhere and at any time. A development that the next generation of employees in particular would like to see.

His co-presenter Antje Leminsky, Deputy Chair of the Executive Board at Testo, didn’t even get to contribute her thoughts as she was kicked out of the session and therefore summed up on LinkedIn: “My conclusion on the podium today would probably have been: WORKATION will continue to establish itself, especially among freelancers and other “digital nomads”, but it is unlikely to become a mass phenomenon analogous to #homeoffice. In this respect, every company must find its own model. There are many ways for employers to show appreciation and trust, to encourage creativity and satisfaction in the team. WORKATION can be possible in principle, but please with caution (and stable technology 😉).”

Tatevik Mkrtchyan and Alexander Ulrich from IKEA talked about job prospects and corporate learning: “Upskilling and reskilling at IKEA – and what it has to do with a BILLY shelf”.

Vanessa Mai and Anja Richert from TH Cologne and the Cologne Cobots Lab & Cologne Training Center, among others, talked about how digitalization is finding its way into universities and how and whether coaching with chatbots is possible.

Foretaste of the education trade fair LEARNTEC in May

René Naumann, Senior Project Manager at LEARNTEC, sums up the spirit of the online event as follows:
“We are thrilled with how well our online format LEARNTEC xChange has been received by our community. We are now entering the fourth round and are delighted that we have already been able to offer a sneak preview of our anniversary edition, the LEARNTEC live event in May.”

Because after LEARNTEC xChange is before LEARNTEC: LEARNTEC is Europe’s largest event for digital education. It is celebrating a special milestone this year. The e-learning community will be meeting for the 30th time at the Karlsruhe Trade Fair Center to exchange ideas and network – from May 23 to 25.

Decision-makers from industry, consulting, retail and sales as well as the education sector come together to exchange ideas on opportunities and trends in digital learning. As a meeting platform, LEARNTEC promotes the transfer of practical knowledge, open discussions and exchanges between the 400 or so exhibitors, speakers and the 15,000 visitors who are expected to attend.

In addition to numerous companies and start-ups, karlsruhe.digital will once again be represented together with the Karlsruhe Technology Initiative to present the latest projects of its fischertechnik and coding working groups.

Anniversary highlight: LEARNTEC meets New Work Evolution

In keeping with its anniversary year, LEARNTEC is celebrating in the best thematic company: New Work Evolution is taking place as a separate event at Messe Karlsruhe alongside the education trade fair. The new trade fair deals with developments in the world of work, which is currently undergoing fundamental change : New Work? Or already New Normal?

Around 30 exhibitors from the field of New Work will present their products and services for innovative working environments and sustainable corporate culture to visitors. A lecture program, expert panels, best-practice examples and networking opportunities provide the framework for discussing new forms and concepts of work.

Britta Wirtz, Managing Director of Messe Karlsruhe, is delighted about this valuable expansion: “With New Work Evolution, we are creating a stage for innovative ideas and solutions here at Karlsruhe, Europe’s leading digital location, to further advance the structural change in our working world.”

Cover photo: Messe Karlsruhe