zeit.de
Boom in German Landscaping: High Demand, Staffing Shortages
The German landscaping and gardening sector is booming, with high demand for apprentices and employees, yet struggles with staff shortages due to the retirement of the baby boomer generation, despite being the largest apprenticeship sector in Rhineland-Palatinate, exceeding even winemaking.
- How is the industry addressing the labor shortage, and what are the main challenges in recruitment?
- Recruitment is primarily online, including social media campaigns, though schools and trade fairs still play a role. The main challenge is not attracting applicants, but rather the overall shortage of workers as the baby boomer generation retires. In Rhineland-Palatinate alone, there were 4,500 youth seeking apprenticeships but 5,800 unfilled positions in August.
- What is the current state of the German landscaping and gardening industry, and what factors contribute to this?
- The industry is experiencing a significant boom, driven by increased public awareness of climate change and urbanization. This is reflected in Rhineland-Palatinate, where it's the largest apprenticeship sector (33%), surpassing winemaking. However, a major challenge is a shortage of skilled workers due to retirements.
- What are the future implications for the landscaping and gardening industry in Germany, and what support is needed?
- The industry requires more apprentices and skilled workers to meet the growing demand. The association advocates for a master's school in Rhineland-Palatinate and more vocational school teachers to address the training shortage. The sector's significant economic contribution (over €10 billion in revenue nationwide) highlights its importance.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The article presents a positive outlook on the gardening and landscaping profession, highlighting its growth and increasing popularity. The headline focuses on the booming nature of the industry, setting a positive tone. The inclusion of statistics about the number of apprenticeships and the high demand for workers further reinforces this positive framing. However, the challenges faced by the industry, such as finding and retaining employees and the aging workforce, are also mentioned, providing a more balanced perspective. The article's framing, while predominantly positive, avoids overly rosy depiction by acknowledging the industry's challenges.
Language Bias
The language used is largely neutral and objective. Terms such as "booming," while positive, are supported by statistical data. The quote from the president of the association is presented without overt editorial commentary. However, phrases like "wenn das Spaß macht, dann ist das eine gute Grundvoraussetzung für einen wunderbaren Traumberuf" (if that's fun, then that's a good prerequisite for a wonderful dream job) could be considered subtly persuasive, though it remains within the context of a quote from an industry representative.
Bias by Omission
While the article provides a comprehensive overview of the gardening and landscaping industry, potential areas for improvement include a more in-depth exploration of the challenges faced by smaller businesses. The article focuses on the larger picture of the industry but doesn't fully delve into the struggles that smaller operations might face in competing with larger ones. Additionally, while the article mentions the importance of social media for recruiting, it doesn't explore the potential limitations or biases inherent in such methods. Further, the financial aspects of the industry outside of the overall revenue figures are missing, such as typical salaries for professionals in different roles.
Sustainable Development Goals
The article highlights a booming gardening and landscaping industry with high demand for skilled workers and apprentices. This directly contributes to decent work and economic growth by creating jobs and boosting the industry's economic output. The significant number of apprenticeships and the high turnover demonstrate a positive impact on employment and economic activity. The ten billion euro turnover further underscores the economic significance of the sector.