Suche
Mein Konto
Changing labor market: opportunities and risks of transformation
Find out how the future of the labor market can be shaped through transformation policy instead of a wave of layoffs. Insight from the IAB expert.
Changing labor market: opportunities and risks of transformation
The current headlines from major corporations might give the impression that employment is at risk of collapsing, but the reality is more nuanced. Although Germany is experiencing an economic downturn that is also affecting the labor market, layoff rates are still comparatively low compared to the time before Corona. A constant demand for workers forces companies to retain their employees, which means that layoffs are limited.
Despite the economic downturn, employment has continued to grow, although not as dynamically as before. Sectors such as construction, trade and manufacturing are experiencing a slight decline, highlighting the impact of the transformation on the labor market. The real challenge lies less in a wave of layoffs than in the need for comprehensive economic transformation. This transformation holds potential for new business models, innovations and technologies, but requires investment and targeted policy measures.
To promote this change, specific impulses are required within the current political and financial framework. The latest ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court and the political discussions in the traffic light coalition set clear requirements for solid investment support. Despite limited financial resources, a realignment of subsidies, as in the case of agricultural diesel support, could be an option. Stakeholders must work together constructively to enable effective economic transformation.
The future of the German economy and the labor market depends largely on how decisively and purposefully transformation policy is pursued. The focus should be on retraining and upskilling employees in emerging fields to meet the demands of new fields of work. The existing technical skills of the German workforce represent a valuable contribution to the energy transition and should be used specifically to transform a wave of layoffs into a wave of progress with future prospects.