Shortage of skilled workers: professions in the social sector, IT and crafts are particularly affected

Created: 08/18/2022, 11:49 am

By: Carina Blumenroth

Demographic change and a shortage of skilled workers - many jobs in Germany are unfilled.

Typical female and male occupations are particularly affected.

There are many vacancies in Germany that cannot be filled because there are not enough qualified applicants.

The shortage of skilled workers can become more and more of a problem for the economy.

In a recent study, the German Economic Institute (IW) found out which professional groups are particularly affected by a shortage of skilled workers.

Shortage of skilled workers: Shortage of skilled workers is half a million

While the shortage of skilled workers stagnated a little at the beginning of the corona pandemic, the shortage of skilled workers has worsened again since the upswing in mid-2021.

The German Economic Institute (IW) describes the situation in the study as follows: "The 12-month average gap in skilled labor from July 2021 to July 2022 for qualified workers across all professions is currently 537,923 jobs." This means jobs who cannot be filled mathematically because there are no suitably qualified unemployed.

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Shortage of skilled workers: Ten professions stand out in particular - the health sector is badly affected

Occupations in the social sector or in the health sector are particularly affected; on average for 2021/22, the greatest shortage of skilled workers was recorded in the area of ​​social education and social work.

According to the IW, around 26,500 jobs were advertised, and there were no suitably qualified unemployed for almost 20,600.

The shortage had never been so great.

The lack of skilled workers are everywhere where people need personal support.

For example, when starting a career, in schools, children's, youth or old people's homes and in addiction counseling.

According to the experts, these are all areas that are experiencing increased demand during the corona pandemic.

Shortage of skilled workers: According to the IW, things are currently looking bad in these occupational fields

• Social work and social pedagogy (expert): 20,578 skilled workers gap

• Child Care and Education (Specialist): 20,466 Skills gap

• Geriatric Nurse: 18,279 Skills gap

• Construction electrics specialist: 16,974 skilled workers gap

• Health and Nursing Professional: 16,839 skills gap

• Plumbing, heating and air conditioning specialist: 14,013 skilled worker gap

• IT expert: 13,638 skilled workers gap

• Physiotherapy Specialist: 12,060 skills gap

• Automotive technology specialist: 11,771 skilled workers gap

• Professional drivers (goods transport/trucks): 10,562 skilled workers gap

Last year there was a shortage of around 87,000 craftsmen and women – according to the experts in the study, these professions are “highly relevant for shaping the energy and climate transition”.

The main focus is on the installation of solar systems or the optimization of the heating systems.

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Shortage of skilled workers: Conspicuous features particularly in gender-stereotyped occupations

"All ten occupations are therefore typically male or female occupations in which the other sex is only rarely represented," says the study by the German Economic Institute.

This fits into the overall picture of the shortage of skilled workers, the IW refers to the findings of the competence center for securing skilled workers (KOFA), which found out earlier that the majority of jobs in bottleneck occupations can be found in typical male or female occupations.

The skilled trades are affected by the shortage of skilled workers.

In general, this applies above all to gender-specific professions.

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Shortage of skilled workers: It has not been possible to break down gender stereotypes in career choices

In the occupational groups that are particularly affected by the shortage of skilled workers, the employee structure makes it clear that it has not been possible to inspire men and women equally for the respective occupations.

Experts warn that this will make new appointments in these areas more difficult in the future.

One way of breaking down gender stereotypes is to take action during careers orientation at school.

According to the study, this can already be achieved by employers positioning themselves more attractively for all target groups, this can be achieved by "gender-appropriate addressing and support".

Shortage of skilled workers: This is how you can counteract it

Approaches that counteract the shortage of skilled workers in general include, among other things, enabling parents to better combine work and family life.

However, this alone cannot help, so "in view of the demographic change, more qualified immigration will be needed in the future to cover the shortage of skilled workers," says the study.