Sparking Controversy: The Alarming Lack of Skilled Workers in Germany
Numerous youths in Germany are outside the educational system.
It's been a heated topic for years, and it's not slowing down - the growing number of untrained youth in Germany. According to the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), last year saw a staggering 1.6 million 20- to 34-year-olds without any training or formal education [source: ntv.de]. That figure has been on the rise for over a decade, with close to 460,000 young people added to this pool in the last 12 years.
The Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) paints an even grimmer picture, reporting that nearly every fifth young adult in Germany lacks vocational training [source: ntv.de]. The difference in statistics arises due to the BIBB's inclusion of all young adults in the age group, while the IAB considers only those who are employed.
A Red Alert for the Economy
This disturbing trend is particularly concerning when considering the critical shortage of skilled workers in Germany. On average, the country faces an estimated deficit of over 530,000 qualified workers [source: Institute of the German Economy]. In the next two years, this number is set to rise by another 200,000 [source: Institute of the German Economy]. By 2027, the numbers predict a staggering shortfall of around 730,000 skilled workers [source: Institute of the German Economy].
"There are bottlenecks in the social sector, in care, in health, in technology, and in IT. Moreover, digitization, the use of AI, and the shift towards green technologies require skilled workers and highly qualified individuals," warns IAB Professor Enzo Weber [source: ntv.de]. Adding to this challenge is the demographic change, with seven million working-age people set to retire over the next 15 years due to age-related reasons [source: ntv.de].
Failing at the Foundation: School Dropouts
The problem starts at the foundation - in school. Every year, tens of thousands of students complete school without any degree, with 47,500 failing to even get their main school-leaving certificate in 2021 [source: Federal Statistical Office]. Without this critical qualification, the chances of securing an apprenticeship contract drop significantly [source: Report on Vocational Training].
Migration and Its Impact
One of the primary factors contributing to the increasing number of untrained youth is migration. Around 45 percent of 20- to 34-year-old refugees from asylum countries such as Syria or Afghanistan have no vocational training [source: IAB study]. This statistic reflects an unsettling trend among young people from other EU countries and, to a lesser extent, among young Germans [source: ntv.de].
However, it's important to note that this doesn't indicate that migrants are less educated, Weber emphasizes. Instead, the challenge lies in the discrepancy between the foreign education systems and Germany's unique vocational training system, hampering many migrants from fully utilizing their potential in the German labor market [source: ntv.de].
The Appeal of Unskilled Labor
Another contributing factor to the apprentice shortage is the preference of some young people for unskilled labor jobs. These positions often offer immediate financial rewards, drawing young people away from lengthy training programs [source: ntv.de]. However, this advantage is temporary, as the labor market situation for helpers is expected to worsen in the future, according to Weber [source: ntv.de].
Bridging the Gap: A Call for Training and Communication
In order to bridge this gap, experts like Weber recommend measures such as flexible, low-threshold training opportunities that can be completed alongside jobs [source: ntv.de]. They also emphasize the importance of expanding career guidance, increasing companies' presence in schools, and fostering online communication in social media channels popular among young people [source: Bertelsmann Foundation and IW study].
The Great Divide: Companies and Applicants
The skills gap in Germany is vast, with over 73,000 training places remaining unfilled in 2023 (a third of all available spots) [source: DIHK]. A survey by the Bertelsmann Foundation and the Institute of the German Economy (IW) revealed that companies struggle to find suitable applicants and lament the high rate of apprentices dropping out (“ghosting”) [source: DIHK study].
Often, training offers don't align with young people's career aspirations, and poor communication contributes to the problem, as demonstrated by the survey [source: Bertelsmann Foundation and IW study]. To address this issue, companies could improve their online presence on popular social media platforms like YouTube, WhatsApp, and TikTok [source: Bertelsmann Foundation and IW study].
By raising awareness about various training occupations and the potential for high earnings in some fields, policy makers and businesses could play a crucial role in bridging the skills gap and ensuring Germany's economic stability.
This article is intended for informational purposes only, and the insights presented are based on various research studies and expert opinions. It's important to note that the situation is subject to ongoing developments and may not reflect the most current state at the time of reading.
Sources:
- Institute of the German Economy Cologne
- Bertelsmann Foundation
- Social Networks
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Apprentices
- Universities
- Application
- School
- Occupation
- IAB
- ntv.de
- DIHK
- Bertelsmann Foundation and IW Study
- DIHK Study
Community aid could be directed towards funding vocational training programs for young adults in Germany, given the alarming lack of skilled workers due to a high number of untrained youth. The education-and-self-development sector, particularly through flexible, low-threshold training opportunities, could play a significant role in bridging the skills gap, as recommended by experts like Enzo Weber.
Finance for these training programs could also come from government subsidies or collaboration with businesses, as part of their corporate social responsibility. General news outlets could help raise awareness about the importance of vocational training and the potential for high earnings in specific fields, encouraging young people to consider these opportunities over unskilled labor jobs.
