Germany's Deutsche Telekom has announced that it is planning to take on a total of 4,700 internally trained junior staff in the next three years under permanent employment contracts. The company also plans to recruit a total of 4,000 university graduates and experts by 2012, depending on the development of business.

In addition, a binding commitment has been made for a trainee ratio of 8.7 percent of the German workforce up to and including 2013. That means the Group is guaranteeing to take on up to 13,000 trainees and students on cooperative courses within the next four years.

"Deutsche Telekom's HR plan for the next few years highlights our intention to ensure the company's development is sustainable and forward-looking," stressed the CHRO, Thomas Sattelberger. "We are investing in personnel development. Talented young people - whether graduates or junior staff completing vocational training or cooperative study programs - show what they are capable of in everyday working life. They will play a major role in the necessary workforce restructuring within the Group. In this way, the company balances its age structure and ensures a constant supply of fresh ideas and fresh knowledge."

Deutsche Telekom is going against the current negative trend of short-term employment contracts with its long-term job prospects for junior staff. As Sattelberger explained: "Especially in difficult times, fixed-term contracts can build bridges. But clever companies shouldn't miss this opportunity to offer long-term job prospects to talents."

Because of the looming shortage of trained professionals - especially in STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) - it will in any case be imperative in the future for companies to secure the loyalty of talented young people. Deutsche Telekom is currently in the vanguard of the DAX companies, with some 11,000 trainees and students on cooperative courses. Under the pilot project "My chance to get going!" a total of some 260 socially disadvantaged young people will be given the opportunity to start vocational training with an entry-level training scheme. Through all these measures, the company is also embracing its social responsibility and ensuring a long-term influx of junior staff, especially in the STEM area.