Open Access

Hanna Burghardt

• The aim of this bachelor’s thesis was to identify possible measures for the competence development of unskilled and semi-skilled workers in small and medium-sized enter-prises (SMEs), with a focus on the development of interdisciplinary competences. It is solely based on already existing research results and publications and shall provide an overview of the current state of knowledge regarding the issue. To be able to find possibilities to develop interdisciplinary competences, essential terms as competence, knowledge and competence management as well as the target group of unskilled and semi-skilled workers and their specific learning needs have to be clarified. Under consideration of all relevant aspects, recommendations for interdisciplinary com-petence development, which fit to the target group, can be made. The results of this paper show that in comparison with other occupation groups unskilled and semi-skilled workers need more support regarding their learning process, as for ex-ample through the definition and control of fixed goals. Apart from continuous learning and sufficient time, especially forms of learning which are close to the workplace are appropriate. Despite all learning difficulties which characterize the target group, they rep-resent a not inconsiderable potential and an opportunity for enterprises to successfully overcome challenges such as globalisation, demographic change and the lack of qualified personnel.