Germany's Labour Shortfall Is At An All-Time High

According to a new research conducted by Competence Centre for Securing Skilled Workers (KOFA), German unemployment rate is dropping but the number of open jobs is rising.

Last year Germany offered about 1.3 million jobs to those with appropriate levels of education and experience. Nearly half of these openings had no suitable candidates. Employment in such positions is often filled by citizens of other EU countries. Yet, many of these nations are also experiencing demographic changes and decline, much like Germany.

At the same time, the country is relying on other nations to fill the working deficit, while streamlining its immigration policies in an effort to attract qualified employees from outside.

The proposed new points-based visa system may facilitate the immigration of highly qualified employees. The German government underlined the value of both academic and vocational education during a summit on trained workforce last year.

The KOFA survey found that the scarcity of qualified employees in Germany was most severe in the fields of medical care, social services, nursing, and education. About 60% of open positions in these industries are unable to find competent candidates. In addition to manufacturing, production, and raw material extraction, KOFA notes that the building trades, which include construction, design, surveying, and building technology, are also adversely impacted by a shortage of competent personnel. There are also shortages of qualified workers in the fields of law, finance, administration, science, information technology, engineering, transportation, logistics, cuisine and the hospitality industry. The list also features doctors as an in-demand profession. Previous reports have also shown a scarcity of metallurgical professionals.

In addition, the German government is working to reduce administrative barriers for highly trained foreign employees. In this regard, Germans born outside of the European Union will be granted dual citizenship for the first time. Furthermore, the residency requirement for seeking for German citizenship may be shortened.

These measures are all part of Germany's goal to streamline its immigration policies and make it simpler to enter the country's work sector. The government plans to recruit and keep a strong foreign workforce by expediting the assessment of professional credentials as well as visa and citizenship procedures.

Germany offers more than just streamlined bureaucracy, as the country's democratic government, great quality of life, low cost of living, and many job prospects are significant incentives for relocating.

 

Source: euronews.com