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Roofer in Munich: the craft businesses are running out of staff
Photo: Peter Kneffel / dpa
Germany's craft businesses are looking for a six-digit number of new employees.
According to the Central Association of German Crafts (ZDH), 150,000 job vacancies are currently registered with the employment agencies.
However, since not all companies turn to the agencies, the association estimates that they are missing a total of around 250,000 craftsmen and women, said a ZDH spokeswoman: “The trend is rising”.
The Cologne Institute for Economic Research (IW) recently determined that there is a shortage of skilled workers, especially in construction.
As a result, master craftsmen in sanitary, heating and air-conditioning technology are urgently needed.
There are too few journeymen in the field of construction electricians.
"If we don't take countermeasures as quickly as possible when it comes to the supply of young people and skilled workers, there is a risk not only of the energy transition failing, but also of a massive economic downturn, a loss of value creation and prosperity," said Franz Xaver Peteranderl, President of the Bavarian Crafts Day.
The shortage of skilled workers will be one of the dominant topics at the Munich International Crafts Fair, which opens this Wednesday.
It is to take place again for the first time since 2019;
In 2020 and 2021 it was canceled due to the pandemic.
che/dpa-AFX