Companies cannot fill around two million jobs

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Siemens training center in Leipzig

Photo: Monika Skolimowska/ picture alliance / Monika Skolimowska/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa

Up to around two million jobs are vacant in Germany due to the shortage of skilled workers.

The Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) estimates this based on a survey of almost 22,000 companies.

More than half of German companies also have problems filling vacancies.

As a result, the Federal Republic is missing out on a value-added potential of almost 100 billion euros, says Deputy DIHK General Manager Achim Dercks.

In combination with the high energy prices, there is a risk that production and services will be relocated abroad.

53 percent of the companies stated in the survey that they were affected by staff shortages.

In the preliminary survey from autumn 2021 with a significantly better expectation of economic development, it was 51 percent.

The shortage has worsened, "although many companies are expecting an economically difficult year and have scaled back their personnel planning," complains the DIHK.

According to the survey, 67 percent of the companies surveyed have problems finding skilled workers for manufacturers of electrical equipment.

There are just as many in mechanical engineering.

In vehicle construction it is 65 percent.

There are also significant bottlenecks in industry and construction (58 percent each).

With health and social service providers, 71 percent complain about difficulties.

The logistics sector is also questionable.

"The lack of drivers is making it increasingly difficult to deliver punctually with end products in retail, but also with raw materials and preliminary work in industry," says Dercks.

In the hospitality industry, staff shortages led to a limited offer and reduced opening hours.

According to the DIHK, the main demand by companies to improve the situation is a reduction in bureaucracy, which 52 percent would like to see.

In this way, more staff could be used for the actual tasks of the company.

Vocational training should also be strengthened.

35 percent of the companies hope to make progress by making it easier to hire foreign skilled workers.

Greater training for the unemployed is also seen as a way out.

ssu/AFP/Reuters