Claiming that "education has become a matter of existential importance for business in Germany," corporate heads are looking for more students to get through the higher education system, and faster. Business leaders argue that, if German companies seek to keep ahead of lower-cost competition, an emphasis will need to be placed on highly skilled workers. Consequently, a focus on brains instead of brawn requires a highly-educated workforce.
See "Retooling the knowledge factory", Carter Dougherty, International Herald Tribune, July 7, 2005