There is a shortage of workers in Germany. Especially in one industry, the shortage is enormous – and will worsen in the coming years.
Cologne – The labor shortage in Germany is enormous. It is not only in areas such as care or gastronomy that there is a shortage of employees. One industry in particular is struggling with a massive shortage: STEM professions. The abbreviation MINT stands for mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology. The shortage of skilled workers in these professions is immense.
Shortage of skilled workers: Several positions in STEM professions unfilled
According to the German Economic Institute (IW), there was a shortage of around 2023,308 workers in the STEM industry in April 400. This is according to the MINT Spring Report 2023. According to the IW study, there is a shortage of most skilled personnel in the energy and electrical professions. There are 88,600 vacancies in this area. There is a shortage of 56,600 workers in mechanical and automotive engineering and 50,600 in IT professions. But there is also a shortage of 40,000 workers in the construction trades.
The report also makes it clear that the problem is likely to worsen in the coming years. Due to the growing digitalization, the demand for IT specialists is increasing. These are also becoming increasingly important in the field of climate protection in order to develop climate-friendly technologies and products. In addition, there is demographic change. According to the IW report, more than 64,700 STEM graduates leave the labour market every year for reasons of age.
There is also an urgent need for skilled workers in the IT industry. © Britta Pedersen/dpa-Zentralbild/dpa
Shortage of skilled workers: This is how the German government wants to remedy the situation
The German government already has plans on how to counter the massive labor shortage in Germany. The traffic light coalition wants to introduce a so-called opportunity card with a new law, among other things. Those who receive the card in order to be able to look for a job in Germany are determined according to a points system.
The criteria include language skills, work experience, age and connection to Germany. In addition, the requirements for a stay in search of an apprenticeship are to be "significantly lowered", salary thresholds for taking up work are to be lowered and it is to be made easier for university graduates to change jobs and join their families. After the first debate in the Bundestag, the bill will now continue to be discussed in the committees. (ph/dpa)
