Shortage of skilled workers in Germany rises to all-time high
August 3, 2022, 7:45 am

Shortage of skilled workers in Germany rises to all-time high

Heidelberg is a town on the Neckar River in southwestern Germany. It’s known for venerable Heidelberg University, founded in the 14th century (File photo: Pixabay)

Almost one in two companies in Germany were affected by a shortage of skilled workers, the highest level ever recorded, according to a company survey published by the Munich-based ifo Institute on Tuesday (August 2), the Xinhua reported.

"More and more companies are having to cut back on business because they simply can't find enough staff," said ifo labor market expert Stefan Sauer. "In the medium and long term, this problem is likely to become more severe."

According to ifo, service providers were most affected by the labor shortage, particularly in the event and hotel industry, where two in three companies reported staff shortages.

Staff shortages in the entire hospitality sector including restaurants were not due to recent layoffs and people switching jobs, according to a recent study by Institute for Employment Research labor market researchers. "The main reason lies in a failure to hire," the authors found.

The industry association DEHOGA is suggesting to simplify immigration rules so that refugees could be better integrated into Germany's labor market.

Munich-based ifo Institute showed service providers were most affected by the labor shortage, particularly in the event and hotel industry, where two in three companies reported staff shortages - Photo. Pixabay

"We now need fast and pragmatic measures to recruit employees," said DEHOGA President Guido Zoellick.

Despite the labor shortage in Europe's biggest economy, the number of temporary workers from countries outside the European Union (EU) registered in Germany more than tripled over the past decade, according to the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis).

Ukraine accuses EU countries, including Germany, of blocking funds

Minister of Labor Hubertus Heil and Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser plan to lower the income threshold for recent graduates applying for a blue card that allows working in the country, "making it easier for well-educated young people to start their careers in Germany."

Key points of an upcoming reform of the country's immigration law are to be presented in September, according to government sources.

Climate change extreme weather costs Germany billions annually

As Germany's baby boomer generation is retiring, structural changes in labor supply due to the demographic development will cost billions of euros, according to a study by the German Economic Institute (IW) from last year.

Over the next 15 years, the country's labor market will lose more than 5 million workers, according to the study. As a result, Germany's economy was set to "change drastically."

Source: Xinhua

Nancy Pelosi meets Taiwan President Tsai, angering Beijing Pelosi's Taiwan trip .. America provokes China

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.