The project “Competence Center – Training in the Food Industry 4.0” was funded under the JOBSTARTER Plus line (code 21JP‑05‑070) and ran from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022. The lead organisation was Employment and Life Saxony e.V., with project manager Stefan Grande. The aim was to support small and medium‑sized food‑industry firms in Saxony to maintain and improve their apprenticeship programmes in the face of a rapid digital transformation and a shortage of qualified personnel.

The technical outcomes are concentrated on the creation of a digital training ecosystem. A network of 90 companies was contacted, and 62 signed cooperation agreements that provided tailored support such as digital recruitment via the job portal of the Employment Agency, the “Schau rein” platform, and the HWK apprenticeship portal. The project delivered 72 apprenticeship positions by the end of 2022, a figure that is notable given the pandemic‑related cancellations of marketing events and the energy‑price crisis that limited recruitment in 2020–2022. Digital learning modules were developed for trainers, covering topics from basic digital tools to advanced production automation. A blog and an Instagram channel, “KOSTPROBE”, were launched and regularly updated with industry news, training videos, and success stories, reaching more than 400 participants across 15 events. In a flagship session titled “Mehl, Hefe & Laptop – In the Bakery Digital”, 13 career counsellors and school teachers were trained on the use of a laser‑cutting machine and a digital recipe book in a modern bakery, illustrating how digitalisation can enhance the attractiveness of the baker’s profession.

The project also established the “Muldentaler Training and Skills Network”, a regional alliance that connects training providers, schools, the local farmers’ association, and the KoLa Leipzig eG – the largest vegetable producer in Saxony. Through this network, future apprentices were introduced to digital production processes, such as photovoltaic‑powered cold‑storage units and precision cutting, and were given hands‑on experience during a field visit that attracted nearly 100 high‑school graduates. The network’s activities are expected to continue beyond the project period, providing a sustainable platform for knowledge transfer and joint marketing.

Collaboration involved a broad range of partners. The Handwerkskammer Leipzig, the Saxon State Office for Vocational Training, the Employment Agency, local schools (e.g., BSZ Delitzsch), and the KoLa Leipzig eG contributed expertise and venues. The Allmende Taucha eV, funded by the LEADER programme, financed the field visits. The project’s outcomes were disseminated through joint publications, a revised set of standard job descriptions, and inclusion in two regional industry magazines. The funding body, the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, supported the initiative under the “Aus‑ und Weiterbildung in der Wirtschaft 4.0” line, ensuring that the project’s digital training solutions could be replicated in other regions.

Overall, the project demonstrated that a coordinated, digitally oriented support package can help small and medium food‑industry firms to attract and train apprentices, even under challenging economic conditions. The network and digital resources created during the project provide a lasting foundation for continued collaboration and innovation in the region’s food‑industry training sector.