Living and Working in South Westphalia

South Westphalia – genuine throughout!

South Westphalia, that means: a population of around 1.4 million, one of the most successful business hubs of the republic and also Germany’s “youngest” region. The region was only officially formed in 2007 from five counties with a total of 59 towns and boroughs: Soest, Olpe, Siegen-Wittgenstein, the Märkische Kreis and the Hochsauerlandkreis. Siegen, Iserlohn, Lüdenscheid and Arnsberg are the most populous cities in South Westphalia.

Germany’s third strongest industrial region.

Did you know? With around 45 per cent of all employees making social security contributions in the manufacturing trade, South Westphalia is the third strongest industrial region in Germany, after Villingen-Schwenningen and Heidenheim-Aalen in Baden-Württemberg In Märkischer Kreis district, this rate is even higher at over 50 per cent. In North-Rhine-Westphalia, South Westphalia is the undisputed number 1 in this respect.

A global market leader behind every tree.

The South Westphalia region is home to more than 160 of the global market leaders officially confirmed by the Hagen, Arnsberg and Siegen Chambers of Industry and Commerce – including STAUFF as a leading manufacturer and supplier of tube and hose fasteners for hydraulic systems – and many other “hidden champions”. The most important industries include automotive, metal fabrication, mechanical engineering, building technology and healthcare. 70 per cent of the German production of switches and sockets, 60 per cent of bathroom fittings and every second light fitting manufactured in Germany come from South Westphalia. 

And: With around 6,000 hectares of land, one of Germany’s and Europe’s largest Christmas tree cultivations is located in South Westphalia.

Where a handshake counts.

Typical for South Westphalia: medium-sized, family-run companies, usually managed by the owner, often internationally active, with strong traditions and values.

Where verbal agreements are sealed with a handshake and honoured, where people are authentic and down-to-earth, and treat one another with respect and honesty, things can grow. This is exactly what happens in South Westphalia every day, creating opportunities for the region and of course for each individual. A down-to-earth attitude is therefore not an end in itself in South Westphalia, but rather the foundation for the continued promising development and the future of companies and employees.

Work life balance

The concept of work life balance has been around for a while. The idea is to be committed to one’s job and achieve something while enjoying life and finding relaxation in leisure activities. What better place to achieve this than in a region where others go on holiday?

South Westphalia has so much to offer: good, lucrative jobs in successful companies and natural surroundings full of leisure opportunities. South Westphalia has a strong tourist focus: fascinating hiking paths such as Germany’s largest nature park region, caves to explore, nature parks with vast forests, lakes and river dams, a huge cycle path network and the largest skiing area north of the Alps. How brilliant to have so much quality of life and work life balance right on your doorstep.

Would you like some facts? With a wooded area of 60 per cent, South Westphalia is the most densely wooded recreation area in Germany and the most popular minor mountain range in Germany after the Black Forest, and holds top spots in North-Rhine-Westphalia with respect to the number of day trippers and overnight stays of guests.

Ruhr region and Rhineland? Just around the corner.

South Westphalia has excellent infrastructure connections to the Ruhr region, the Rhineland and large cities such as Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne or Frankfurt. The cities with their extensive offerings can easily be reached using the A45, A4, A44 and A46 motorways or by train.

Strong education and training.

South Westphalia offers many opportunities for finding a good and practical path in life. The mostly medium-sized companies offer many apprenticeships opportunities, supported by good schools, extensive further training options and several higher education institutions:

• South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences in Hagen, Iserlohn, Meschede, Soest and Lüdenscheid
• Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences
• Siegen University

There is a large number of degree apprenticeship solutions – South Westphalia opens all doors for personal further development.

Learn more about the South Westphalia region, the Sauerland region and Märkischer Kreis district:

www.suedwestfalen.com
www.sauerland.com
www.maerkischer-kreis.de