MDR: Umschau Extra: All Eyes on the Future: Saxony-Anhalt in Transition

The 45-minute special episode of “Umschau” shows how three young people in Saxony-Anhalt have left behind secure paths in life and are repositioning themselves professionally. The focus is on Johanna Wex (26), an aspiring carpenter from Halle; Mikela Toçka (34), a caregiver originally from Albania who lives in Dessau; and Philipp Schmidt (33), a wind turbine technician from Farnstädt (Saalekreis). Their stories highlight various facets of social change: the world of work in the skilled trades, the integration of foreign workers into the local labor market, and personal reorientation amid the energy transition. The portraits offer a nuanced perspective on social upheavals and personal decisions. The film illustrates just how much courage it takes to break away from the beaten path and take on responsibility.

Also airing on MDR TV on August 18, 2026, at 8:15 p.m. and available in the ARD media library starting August 12, 2026.

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