Bremen-Nord Rallies Around Skills, Digital Transformation and Quality of Life at Constructor University Dialogue

Nearly 100 stakeholders from the business, political, academic and civilian spheres made their way to Constructor University in Bremen for an engaging discussion Monday evening entitled “Global Uncertainties, Regional Responses – Business in Dialogue.”

Event takeaways

• Train for tomorrow’s jobs: modular, employer-led upskilling and internship-to-employment pathways
• Make digital the default: data-driven processes, practical AI and automation in daily operations
• Lower energy exposure: efficiency upgrades and smart systems that cut costs and volatility
• Compete on quality of life: housing, mobility and family services that attract international talent
• Act as one region: tighter coordination among business, government and universities with clear responsibilities and timelines.

The evening opened with words of welcome from Rainer Küchen (WIR) and Constructor University Chancellor Turgut Tülü, who stressed the unique role the university in Bremen-Nord can play in attracting, cultivating and deliver international expertise. “One of our greatest assets is our international student body, which comes from over 130 countries,” said Chancellor Tülü. This global recruitment strategy coupled with our close industry ties and business-oriented study programs make Constructor University uniquely positioned to act as a bridge between Bremen and the world.”

Keynotes from CCI President André Grobien and Dr Tim Nesemann, CEO of Sparkasse Bremen, laid out core priorities: accelerating digital transformation, assisting firms to become more agile and, above all, attracting and retaining skilled individuals. The speakers also stressed the importance of quality of life in attracting talented individuals to Bremen. The region must position itself as a place where highly skilled people want to live and work. Leisure opportunities, urban infrastructure and a welcoming environment are not “nice-to-haves,” but critical factors in regional competitiveness.

Panel discussion and CU Prof. take the stage

The panel brought together CCI President André Grobien, Dr Tim Nesemann of Sparkasse Bremen, Peter Heumüller of Marinetech, Ulf Schnittger of Schnittger Wilde Ingenieure and Dr Fabian T. Dehos of Constructor University. Discussion focused on practical levers for Bremen-Nord, including workforce development, operational efficiency and smarter local investment. The evening closed with open networking in the foyer, reflecting the dialogue among equals that WIR and CCI aim to foster.

Representing Constructor University, Dr. Dehos outlined evidence-based steps the region should take to ensure future success. These included modular upskilling aligned with employer demand, clear internship-to-employment pathways, as well as a rigorous, data-driven evaluation of regional programs. He also encouraged companies to make digital processes a core component and to prioritize near-term efficiency gains that reduce energy exposure for local industry.

About Dr. Fabian Dehos Assistant Professor of Economics Dr. Fabian T. Dehos applies causal inference across health, labor and family economics, with a focus on policy evaluation. Prior to joining Constructor University in 2024, he was a researcher at the Leibniz Institute for Economic Research in Essen, the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health and the University of Duisburg-Essen. Dr. Dehos holds a PhD from Ruhr University Bochum, an MSc University College London and a BSc from the University of Konstanz, and he completed a doctoral research visit at the University of California, Santa Cruz. His most recent publication is “Public Transport Pricing: An Evaluation of the 9-Euro Ticket and an Alternative Policy Proposal” in Economics of Transportation (2025).