The Initiative New Quality of Work (INQA) supports companies in navigating the evolving world of work, helping them develop a sustainable, human-centered corporate culture. By providing practical knowledge, EU-funded consulting services for SMEs, self-assessment tools, networking opportunities and project funding, INQA assists businesses and their employees in becoming resilient and enabling them to attract and retain skilled workers.

From demographic change, to digital transformation, to the green economy of the future, the pressure for change is evident. Companies face challenges such as transitioning to sustainable practices, going digital, managing increasingly diverse workforces, securing skilled labor, and maintaining employee health and motivation. To address these challenges, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs launched INQA in 2002 as a non-partisan, non-commercial initiative, rooted in social partnership and supported by key stakeholders in the German labour market.

Focus areas

INQA provides hands-on guidance across four areas: The Leadership area focuses on motivating employees and fostering an up-to-date leadership culture. The Diversity area covers strategies for attracting and retaining a skilled workforce from diverse backgrounds and fully utilising their potential, whilst taking a stance against discrimination. The Health area emphasises the conditions necessary to maintain long-term employee well-being, motivation and productivity throughout the employee lifecycle. Finally, the Competence area addresses the evolving demands on employees in the areas of digital transformation, reskilling and upskilling, and how companies can respond strategically and effectively.

Offers

INQA delivers tailored solutions designed to help companies, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), manage the complexities of today’s work environment. Therefore, the following offers are explicitly designed for managers, HR staff, works councils and employees.

• INQA-Coaching: Supporting SMEs with fewer than 250 employees, INQA-Coaching provides expert guidance and consulting. Certified INQA Coaches assist businesses in developing tailored solutions, with up to 80 percent of advisory costs covered through the European Social Fund (ESF). Its strength is the constant involvement of employees during the consulting process. This approach results in greater acceptance und implementation of the co-created solutions within the companies. With a satisfaction rate of over 90 percent, INQA Coaching and its predecessor program unternehmensWert:Mensch have already helped more than 10,000 companies in Germany to achieve their goals.
• INQA Experimental Spaces: These pilot programmes bring together practitioners and researchers to co-create and test innovative solutions for the evolving challenges of the modern workplace. Funded by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs over a multi-year period, INQA Experimental Spaces aim for practical, scalable approaches that other organizations and branches of economy can apply. One recent example is “Expertise 4.0” Experimental Space, which successfully tested how exoskeletons can aid nursing staff.
• INQA-Checks: INQA-Checks offer businesses practical tools, including proven checklists and questionnaires, to systematically evaluate strengths and identify areas for improvement. In addition to general checks on leadership, diversity, health and competence, a large number of other, more specific checks are available. These include step-by-step guidance for the onboarding process for refugees, suggestions for better leadership in hybrid teams and many more.

Networking opportunities

Networking enhances connections, brings in fresh insights and promotes learning from others. The INQA event calendar provides up-to-date information on current events and training opportunities, while the INQA network map helps locate relevant networks on skilled labour for every region in Germany.

Additionally, the INQA Network Office supports establishing and developing networks, focusing on finding and retaining skilled labour. It lists over 300 active networks, offering companies valuable insights and regional solutions from peers. The INQA Network Office also offers “digital lunch breaks”, in which speakers provide practical insights into current challenges and possible solutions.