Struggling with Workforce Challenges: 84% of German Firms Anticipate Personnel Problems
Approximately four out of five businesses in Germany anticipate encountering personnel-related problems. - Majority of German Businesses Anticipate Personnel Issues (84%)
The German job market is facing some tough times, according to the latest findings by the IAB in Nuremberg. The most prominent issue? You guessed it - personnel problems.
Michael Oberfichtner, a researcher at the IAB, sheds light on the situation: "The skills gap is the number one issue across various industries." As per their study, nearly 64% of companies are worried about finding adequately qualified employees in the future. This concern is particularly pressing in the construction sector, with only a quarter of firms expecting no issues, says Oberfichtner.
High labor costs are another hurdle for businesses, affecting 55% of all companies, an increase of 12 percentage points since 2022. The manufacturing sector and the retail and wholesale trade sectors are the most impacted by these financial strains.
The survey relies on data from the IAB Establishment Panel, which represents a sample of approximately 15,000 companies in Germany.
As we dig deeper, we can discern a few trends shaping the German job market:
- Work and Health: Germany is focusing on work and health, especially for those with health concerns. This means creating a safer and more supportive work environment to accommodate older workers, the increased demand for further training, and the complex coordination of various work schedules.
- Labor Market Policies: The IAB is actively engaged in the analysis of passive and active labor market policies, with a keen interest in automation and AI in public employment services. These trends may reshape the skill requirements in the construction sector, as technology continues to play a growing role.
- AI and Skills Demand: There's ongoing research on AI-related skills demand in the labor market, with a joint effort from institutions like IAB Nuremberg to delve deeper into the impact of AI on employment and skill requirements across different industries. The construction industry is likely to witness change due to this shift.
- Doctoral Research Opportunities: The IAB is offering doctoral scholarships for labor market research, which could potentially involve studies focusing on the construction industry. This indicates an ambition to broaden our understanding of labor market dynamics across sectors.
While specific data on the construction industry from the IAB in Nuremberg is scarce, these broader trends suggest a focus on health, technology, and skill adaptation in the labor market. Keep your eyes peeled for more insights as the situation evolves!
- The employment policy in Germany is being shaped by the concern over the skills gap, with 64% of companies anticipating problems in finding adequately qualified employees, particularly in the construction sector.
- According to the IAB researcher, Michael Oberfichtner, high labor costs are another issue affecting 55% of all companies, with the manufacturing and retail trade sectors being the most impacted.
- To address workforce challenges, the German government is focusing on work and health, creating a supportive work environment for older workers and increasing training opportunities.
- The IAB is also studying labor market policies, AI skills demand, and the impact of AI on employment, which could significantly alter skill requirements in various industries, including the construction sector.
){kind=link}