World of Photonics Portal - PRESS RELEASES

Munich, Germany, 17 June 2009. With applications for the optical technologies becoming increasingly numerous, having a sufficient number of qualified specialists entering the field is crucial for the industry’s development. For this reason, in 2009, LASER World of PHOTONICS is again working together with companies from the industry to help foster the development of junior staff. Despite the current economic crisis, many segments of this business sector are not able to hire enough qualified specialists. Specially developed programs at the trade show are picking up on this topic in concerted efforts involving companies and industry associations. These efforts are spotlighting the career outlook in this field. To help inspire potential specialists, “Lukas Forscherland” is addressing elementary school children. Programs for high school students and the new industry initiative “Light Alliance” are showcasing occupational profiles and career opportunities for specialists in this field.

Elementary school kids on an adventure outing in “Lukas Forscherland”
“Lukas Forscherland” is an initiative for capturing the imagination of the potential specialists of tomorrow. This program introduces school pupils to natural sciences and technology and piques the children’s interest in optical technologies. At LASER World of PHOTONICS 2009, approximately 185 elementary school children will again have the chance to enter a red “research hut” and become familiar with using light as a tool and experience optical phenomena by performing their own experiments. “Luka’s Explorer Cabin” at the trade show is part of the “Fascination with Light” program that was initiated by the German Federal Ministry for Education and Research (BMBF). On location at the show, the kids can experience an adventure story about “Luka and Lilly” and use the experiment workbook called “We’re going into the Internet – with light.” The exhibitors are also backing this initiative, which is supported by the VDI Technology Center.

High school students experience physics firsthand
For about 130 students who are taking advanced physics at college-prep high schools, industry experts are presenting the field of photonics in a vivid way. The industry itself is doing its best to support the efforts to foster young talent: Approximately 30 companies are ready to welcome these high school visitors, and many of them have prepared experiments that the students can take part in. Participating companies include, among others, Rofin Sinar GmbH (Hamburg, Germany), TOPTICA Photonics AG (Gräfelfing, Germany), and Newport Spectra Physics GmbH (Darmstadt, Germany). Coherent GmbH (Dieburg, Germany) is also participating in this program. “We support efforts to develop young talent in many different areas and, of course, at the trade show. In the long run, Germany can only maintain its status as a high-tech business location if technological subjects are promoted right from the beginning at school as well,” commented Werner Ziegs, director of field sales Europe at Coherent.

Rofin-Sinar is also participating in this initiative. “Lasers have become an integral part of our daily lives. From perforated bags for potato chips to laser-labeled cell phones and all the way to laser-welded car bodies – laser technology offers innumerable possibilities and creates a strong demand for qualified young specialists. By participating in these efforts, we are seeking to foster the development of young specialists and get kids and teens excited about lasers and the optical technologies,” said Günther Braun, CEO and president of Rofin-Sinar Technologies. This program is being organized at LASER World of PHOTONICS together with bayern photonics e.V. (Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany) and the wirth + partner consulting group (Landshut, Germany).

Light Alliance seeks to attract specialists
The companies active in this industry want to intensify efforts in this area in the future as well. At a press conference held at the trade show, the industry association SPECTARIS and eleven participating companies have announced that they have founded the “Light Alliance” for this purpose. By working together, the initiative intends to call attention to the key role that the optical technologies play for industry and research within the German business environment. The purpose of the campaign is to call more attention to the career perspectives that this industry can offer skilled employees. After all, there are already more than 115,000 people working in all kinds of occupations within this industry, and demand continues to grow daily.

Career paths in the area of optical technologies
At the Career Center in hall B2.401, those who are already working in the optical technologies and now want to plan the rest of their career path will find a job board containing open positions being advertised by exhibitors. In addition, numerous job offerings can also be accessed online at www.world-of-photonics.net. Furthermore, experts are available for free career consultation. The cooperation partner for this is the wirth + partner consulting group.