Germany, whose economy is largely based on the industrial sector, faces alarming labor shortages, the powerful German metalworkers union IG Metall warned on Thursday.
“Politicians and companies need to act urgently to attract skilled workers,” said Christiane Benner, vice president of IG Metall, pointing to the lack of attractiveness of training for young people in Germany.
The number of concluded professional training contracts remains almost 10% below its 2019 level, before the outbreak of the pandemic, indicated a study by the Federal Institute for Vocational Training last December.
Currently, about 58% of companies in the industrial sector complain about the lack of labor, especially qualified.
2.3 million young people without qualifications
All sectors combined, two million jobs were vacant last year in Germany, according to a study by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Paradoxically, the country has 2.3 million young people between the ages of 20 and 34 without professional qualification, says IG Metal.
For the union, it is not necessary to “reject responsibility for young people” but for industrialists who must “change their hiring policies.”
“It is a scandal that the rooms [du commerce et de l’industrie] they complain about the lack of candidates but do nothing to reduce the dropout rate of apprentices”, denounced Ms Benner, lamenting in particular that young people are not better supported during their stay in companies.
The union highlights the need to develop the training offer so that it corresponds to the new professions linked to the energy transition.
Strengthen the presence of the industry in social networks
“For the transformation of the industry to be successful, tens of thousands of additional new skilled employees are needed, for example in renewable energy development and energy renovation of buildings,” recalled Jörg Hofmann, Chairman of IG Metall.
To attract young people to careers in the industry, the machine tool manufacturers’ federation, VMDA, advises companies to secure their social media presence and develop access to internships.
“Nothing lends itself as well as internships,” says VDMA expert Stephan Grötzschel.
He also insists on the importance of job fairs, to introduce young people to the “hidden champions” of the industry.
Source: BFM TV
