redundante Qualifikation

17:37 Jul 17, 2016 

Finally, also found another German reference (there really are only a few to dig up, I believe):
"Die eingesetzten Mitarbeiter werden sich gegenseitig vertreten und müssen demnach idealerweise über redundante Qualifikationen und Kompetenzen verfügen."
http://ausschreibung9.rssing.com/chan-14641870/all_p60.html

In essence, superfluous, non-complementary, duplicate knowledge, but nevertheless necessary in case someone stays home sick, etc.

In the end, it'll all depend on how you phrase it; I don't think any of the examples I mentioned will lead someone to believe it's meant in a negative way.

Wish you all a nice Sunday evening!

17:29 Jul 17, 2016 

Thanks, Marcus.

If you're interested, there's actually a third noun to add to the list: capacities - although here, the lines (between man and machine) may get a little bit blurred. But since everything is about (human) resources nowadays, I don't even know whether that makes such a difference anymore:

"To maximize efficiencies, we also have redundant capacities in place to keep the presses running."
http://www.midoprinting.com/capabilities/pre-press-4-color-o...

"We are large enough to provide significant levels of service with redundant capacities, yet still small enough to be responsive in a timely manner and truly understand our customers’ needs."
http://spo.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Jack-Harter...

"A branded drug available from only one source often requires customized equipment, dedicated facilities, and redundant capacities to support large-scale manufacturing or packaging for a single product."
http://www.pharmaceuticalonline.com/doc/the-financial-advant...

09:24 Jul 15, 2016 

Gets away from the word "qualification" which doesn't quite work here.

00:39 Jul 15, 2016 

I was trying to find something other than "redundant," but with the same intended meaning, considering that I indeed found mainly AmE links for the former.

There is "duplicate":
"Always duplicate expertise: Ensure that more than one person or team always possess critical skills. IT leaders can avoid making project teams wait for subject matter experts to estimate project costs by using expert input to create cost assessment tools."
https://www.cebglobal.com/blogs/7-ways-to-make-it-faster-a-s...

But that isn't any better for a UK search. The only other alternative I can think of is a workaround: ample expertise (or similar) + in a wide range of fields + group of people.

"We are a family-run business with ample expertise in installing a wide range of doors and windows, including bi-folding doors."
http://www.abelglass.co.uk/three-home-renovations-get-home-s...

Íf you translate "Mitarbeiter" as a group (think "staff"), then the above may be enough to say there is more than one employee who has some of the same capabilities.

Maybe that would even get Ramey's approval :)

Hope I could help.

16:40 Jul 14, 2016 

I do understand. I, for one, would hesitate to use it in German as well. It's one of these words that carries the same mixed bag of connotations in either language. It's a highly technical term regardless, used to peer-review the work of colleagues or to jump in before someone jumps ship (so to speak).

Just take a look at these two instances of "redundant" in German:

[neutral]
"Die Basis hierfür ist eine kollektive Form der Arbeitsorganisation wie z.B. die prozessorientierte Teamarbeit mit redundanten Qualifikationen bei weitgehender organisatorischer Selbstständigkeit."
http://monarch.qucosa.de/fileadmin/data/qucosa/documents/611...

[negative]
"Daß kurzfristige Beschäftigungen eher mit redundanten Qualifikationen einhergehen, könnte aber auch auf den Jedermannsmarkt mit seinen geringen Qualifikationsanforderungen und unsicheren Beschäftigungsverhältnissen hindeuten."
http://doku.iab.de/mittab/1996/1996_2_mittab_szydlik.pdf

Same word, different purpose.

Since the company chose such an ambiguous term to begin with, the safest course of action would be to include a translator's note if you feel that the document could be improved upon.

Have a relaxing evening

10:24 Jul 14, 2016 

in an English text, particularly not in a brochure. But I get your point.

07:39 Jul 14, 2016 

On second thought: This is a usage issue, Ramey. I have never ever seen "redundant" in German used as something more than a neutral - if not downright negative (the Duden example: "redundante Buchstaben, Merkmale") - attribute.

Even if you want to present the company in the best possible light, "highly qualified" is not the way to go, IMO, because highly qualified doesn't say anything about additional know-how. You can be highly qualified - in your field of expertise - and still have no clue what your colleagues are doing, even if they explain it to you.

What they want to say here is that work won't be interrupted because all of the company's employees are not only highly motivated, but they can also take over someone else's responsibilities if need be.

Qualifikationen also shouldn't be "qualifications" here, I think, but "expertise." And voila:
"Many forensic laboratories do not have redundant expertise in all areas of analysis."
https://www.microtracellc.com/service/case-reviews/

"Much of WB&E's current workload is work-order driven. Five crews offer both specialized and redundant expertise and capabilities"
http://wbandeconstruction.com/aboutus.html

07:28 Jul 14, 2016 

1. It is a brochure, ergo a presentation. They would hardly advertise that they are so over-staffed that the work is done even when someone is ill: Engaged colleagues with the same capabilities
2. As you said, 'my guess is...' Given the context, this is certainly a descriptive form, putting the company in its best light.

07:19 Jul 14, 2016 

Careful, please. The important Duden part here is "mehrfach vorhanden."

See:
https://books.google.de/books?id=t3rPBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA172&lpg=P...

https://books.google.de/books?id=nwLkimtXONwC&pg=PA198&lpg=P...

It seems to have little to do with "highly qualified," but with actual redundancies (like several employees have the same know-how). It's not unlike technological products, actually: Some of them have "redundant" systems, so they can take over when the others fail (my guess is: same with "redundant qualifications," so these employees can take over when someone is sick, etc.)

07:03 Jul 14, 2016 

SO capable there is no room for improvement because they have all bases covered, and that 2, 3, 4 or more times. The author did well, actually.

02:12 Jul 14, 2016 

Thanks, I learned something..

02:10 Jul 14, 2016 

i.e. highly qualified
Duden: Redundanz aufweisend; überreichlich [vorhanden] mehrfach vorhanden, überreichlich, überzählig;