Shortage of skilled workers in Central Germany: Concerns about the future among companies in the East

Shortage of skilled workers in Central Germany: Concerns about the future among companies in the East

According to a report from www.mdr.de, the shortage of skilled workers in Central Germany is a serious problem that will only get worse in the future. Companies like “Ambulanz Mobile” in Schönebeck are already suffering from a shortage of electricians, which is leading to a production backlog and a loss in sales of up to 15 million euros. According to calculations by the Federal Ministry of Labor, a total of 670,000 workers will be lost in the labor market regions of Chemnitz, Dresden, Erfurt, Halle/Leipzig and Magdeburg by 2040. This situation will represent a major challenge for companies in Central Germany.

Recruiting skilled workers, particularly in the areas of IT and mechanical engineering, is difficult as many graduates tend to look for employment in West Germany. Companies like “Vector Informatik” are trying to recruit future staff directly at universities in order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers. The high number of foreign students at East German universities also plays an important role.

The immigration of skilled workers is also seen as part of the solution. An ambulance company in Schönebeck already employs around 15 percent of its employees from abroad and is planning to hire trainees from El Salvador and Vietnam. However, companies report bureaucratic difficulties and locational disadvantages in relation to xenophobia.

If the problem of skilled workers in Central Germany is not solved, companies will face greater competition for remaining workers. This could lead to less productive companies leaving the market or even having to leave Germany.