Skills shortage

Wirtschaftab 9 J.

Germany is short of more than 500,000 skilled workers – especially in IT, care, skilled trades and engineering. Good for employees: higher salaries and a better negotiating position.

The skills shortage (Fachkräftemangel) is one of Germany's biggest economic problems – and at the same time an opportunity for employees.

Where the shortage is greatest:

• IT/software: 137,000 vacancies (highest salaries: €55,000–80,000 starting)
• Care/health: 120,000+ vacancies
• Skilled trades: over 250,000 unfilled apprenticeships
• Engineering: 50,000+ vacancies
• Childcare/education: a massive staff gap in daycare

What that means for YOU:

✅ Better negotiating position on pay and conditions
✅ More choice of jobs
✅ Career changers have better chances than ever
✅ Further training pays off enormously (especially in shortage occupations)

Long-term solutions: immigration of skilled workers, better training, digitalisation/automation, higher employment rates among women, working longer.

Did you know? According to the German Economic Institute (IW Köln), the skills shortage costs the German economy more than €80 billion in value added every year – because orders can't be processed and innovations can't be implemented.

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