Deutsche Telekom is offering up to 3,500 jobs and career opportunities for new employees in 2009

• Taking responsibility for young people: an additional 3,600 training positions guaranteed again this year

• Thomas Sattelberger: this sends strong signal that Deutsche Telekom takes its responsibility as an employer seriously

• Expansion of the modern broadband network can develop into a real job creation machine

Deutsche Telekom is planning up to 3,500 new jobs in Germany in 2009, dependent on the economic development in its individual business segments, CHRO Thomas Sattelberger announced today in Bonn. This puts the number of new jobs at the same level as last year, despite the financial crisis. The positions are planned mainly for graduates of technical, scientific and business-related disciplines, for example, IT experts or marketing specialists, as well as junior staff who have been trained internally. In addition, Deutsche Telekom is also once again offering around 3,600 young people the opportunity to start high-quality vocational training in the Group.

"By offering thousands of new jobs, not only are we sending a strong signal that the company takes its responsibilities as an employer seriously, but it is also a clear indicator of our position in the talent market.We are thus systematically continuing on our course of strategic staff restructuring," commented Thomas Sattelberger on Deutsche Telekom's plans.

According to the CHRO, a forward-looking employment policy must find solutions for the demographic and technological changes within the company, in order to consistently align the company’s talent structure with both current and future operational requirements. "Deutsche Telekom sees the combination of internally trained junior staff with graduates and experts from outside the Group as the foundation for a forward-looking staff structure."

The offer of around 3,600 training positions nationwide once again is also to be viewed against this backdrop. The majority of the training opportunities will be in IT and technology, as well as service and sales. With a total of nearly 12,000 trainees, Deutsche Telekom is Germany’s largest vocational training provider. Thomas Sattelberger: "We offer thousands of young people training and opportunities, which enables us to make an important and responsible contribution to the cohesion of our society."

In the current economic crisis, Deutsche Telekom is seen as a pillar of stability that offers many young people excellent opportunities, summarized CHRO Thomas Sattelberger. "First-class training provides not only the basis for developing a successful career, but also improves employment potential, particularly in economically turbulent times." The quality of the training those starting their career at Deutsche Telekom enjoy can also be concretely expressed in figures: over the past year, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce have between them honored 114 Deutsche Telekom trainees, including national and local winners, as well as Best in Chamber.

According to Mr. Sattelberger, the future competitiveness of Deutsche Telekom as an international high-tech Group is also dependent on the shape of the political climate in terms of extensive investments in new technologies.  "If the political conditions for expanding the modern fiber-optic network are right, our planned investments will generate direct growth momentum that results in positive effects on employment far beyond Deutsche Telekom," emphasized the CHRO. "This can develop into a real job creation machine."