Employment agency leader, Martin Klebe, is stepping down
In a significant change for the employment landscape in Solingen-Wuppertal, Martin Klebe, the current chairman of the management board of the Agentur für Arbeit Solingen-Wuppertal, is set to retire on June 30, 2023, after a distinguished 35-year career in employment administration.
Klebe's tenure has been marked by numerous challenges and transformative periods, most notably the global financial crisis of 2009 when he took over the helm and the war in Ukraine in 2022, which led to new strains, including refugee movements, rising energy prices, and supply shortages. These effects were also felt on the local labor market, causing unemployment in the city triangle to reach its highest level in ten years.
During his time at the agency, Klebe has demonstrated resilience and adaptability, particularly in the face of the Corona pandemic in the spring of 2020. The agency was tasked with major responsibilities, including adjusting internal processes and handling numerous applications for short-time work. With the support of various departments, it was possible to ensure the payment of short-time work benefits to companies in the region.
The agency, named after both Solingen and Wuppertal, has a history that dates back to 2013, when the previous agencies in Solingen and Wuppertal were merged, and the new headquarters was established in Wuppertal. This merger was not without controversy, as many in Remscheid felt overlooked in the naming decision.
The refugee movements in 2015 and 2016 led to an increased need for advice and support in the employment agencies and Jobcenters. Klebe expressed gratitude for the good cooperation with his colleagues and partners during his career in employment policy.
Nathalie Schöndorf, the current managing director of the Jobcenter Mettmann, has been appointed as Klebe's successor at the head of the Agentur für Arbeit Solingen-Wuppertal. Schöndorf brings a wealth of experience to the role, having worked in various positions within the employment services sector for over 20 years.
Solingen-Wuppertal's employment services have undergone significant changes since the 1960s, mirroring the broader economic structural changes in North Rhine-Westphalia. The region, once dominated by traditional industries such as coal mining and steel production, has transitioned to new sectors including creative industries and technology-driven fields. This shift has influenced employment trends, with unemployment rates fluctuating but generally showing improvement from over 9% in the early 2000s to around 6.8% in 2018.
For a comprehensive timeline and key events regarding employment service organization changes in Solingen-Wuppertal, one would likely need to consult local government publications, regional labor market authorities, or historical administrative records specific to Solingen and Wuppertal.
- The general-news of the war in Ukraine in 2022 and the subsequent refugee movements, rising energy prices, and supply shortages have significantly impacted the local labor market in Solingen-Wuppertal, causing unemployment to reach its highest level in ten years.
- In the political landscape of Solingen-Wuppertal's employment services, the merger of the agencies in Solingen and Wuppertal in 2013 and the appointment of Nathalie Schöndorf as the successor to Martin Klebe in 2023 are notable events that reflect changes in the region's employment policy and organization.
