Some branches of industry are already finding it difficult to find the skilled staff they need: engineers, carers and plumbers are all in short supply. To prevent this becoming an across-the-board problem, the German government adopted a Skilled Worker Strategy in 2011. The Cabinet has now adopted the 2013 progress report, which points to the first successes.
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Germany is not suffering a general shortage of skilled workers. According to an analysis published by the Federal Employment Agency in December 2013 specialists in twenty occupational groups are, however, in short supply. Some occupations involve vocational training, others presuppose a university degree.
The most serious shortages up to 2030 are forecast for educators, occupations in the social services sector, managers and executives, and technical occupations.
The Cabinet has now adopted the 2013 progress report on the Skilled Worker Strategy. The following results can be seen:
In November 2013, according to the Federal Statistical Office, 42.3 million people were in work in Germany. This is an all-time high. Nevertheless there is still a huge potential among women, older members of the workforce, those with low-level qualifications and individuals with a migrant background. This potential should be used.
Between 2006 and 2012 a disproportionately sharp rise was recorded in the percentages of women and older members of the workforce in work.
In 2012, 61.5 per cent of older people were in work, which was above the 60 per cent target set in the national EU 2020 strategy.
In the 60-64 age group, the percentage of those in work falls off significantly: in this age group only one in two people are in work. Federal Labour Minister Andrea Nahles has called on businesses to make better use of the existing potential. "Over-60s too must be kept fit and in work for as long as possible," she declared. Age-appropriate workplaces, well thought out working time models and appropriate further training offers are called for.
71.5 per cent of women aged between 20 and 64 were in work, meaning that the 73 per cent target was almost achieved. There is, however, still a huge reservoir of untapped potential both in terms of working time and in terms of the percentage of women in work.
Almost half of women work part-time. "This is not what they want," said the minister. Many women would like to work more. To make it easier for women to return to working life, Andrea Nahles is planning to introduce the right to return to full-time work.
In 2012 a total of 71 per cent of mothers of under-18-year-old children worked. In 2006 this figure was still almost 7 per cent lower. Young mothers today work more hours a week than they did in years gone by. They are benefitting from the fact that it is easier today to reconcile professional and family commitments. The German government is continuing its efforts here, expanding the number of day-care places and all-day schools.
The number of young people leaving school without qualifications dropped to 5.9 per cent in 2012, down from 7.9 per cent in 2006. By 2015 the government aims to get the figure down to 4 per cent. With the "Chance in Work" initiative, young people are to be given individual assistance to achieve good school and professional qualifications.
Under the "Educational Package" needy children are given subsidies to help them pay for school materials, field trips and school meals. The "Education Chains" initiative addresses young people who have difficulties making the transition to working life. And the government’s "Early Opportunities Offensive" is helping children in 4,000 priority nurseries improve their German language skills before they start school.
There are still 1.4 million people aged between 25 and 34 who have no occupational qualifications. "No young person ought to be sent out onto the labour market without training," declared Andrea Nahles. Those who have no qualifications must be given a second chance to obtain qualifications. Experience with youth occupation agencies has been positive.
In 2012, a total of 68.7 per cent of people with a migrant background were in work. This was almost 7 per cent up on the 2006 figure. Migrants are still more frequently unemployed than German citizens though.
In Germany, some 980,000 mothers with a migration background were not working in 2011, although three-quarters of them stated that they would like to work. To help them gain a foothold on the labour market it is important to address them personally and to give them individual support.
Skilled specialists from outside Germany are welcome here. Since 2012 a new law has made it easier to have foreign professional qualifications identified and recognised, and the entire process has been speeded up. The EU’s Blue Card makes it easier for highly qualified individuals to work and live in Germany. More than 13,500 EU Blue Cards were issued in the first 17 months following the introduction of the system in August 2012.
People around the world can find out more about working and living in Germany at www.make-it-in-germany.com. This website is part of the efforts of the Federal Economics Ministry, the Federal Labour Ministry and the Federal Employment Agency to attract specialists. Regional welcome centres help migrants deal with the problems they encounter in everyday life.
In 2012 the Federal Labour Ministry, the Federal Economics Ministry and the Federal Employment Agency launched efforts to attract specialists and skilled workers to Germany. They help private businesses to find the specialists they need and help specialists position themselves on the labour market. The website www.fachkräfte-offensive.de addresses German specialists and businesses.
The German government’s Skilled Worker Strategy was adopted by the Cabinet on 22 June 2011. It has five main thrusts:
More people should be in work and stay in work.
Germany needs specialists and skilled workers from abroad. Their access to the labour market is to be facilitated and they are to be helped integrate.
The progress report assesses and refines the Skilled Worker Strategy. The report is compiled once a year by the working group "Skilled Workers for the Future" under the aegis of the Federal Labour Ministry. Almost all ministries and the Federal Chancellery play an active part in the working group.