welt.de
German Auto Industry Faces Skilled Labor Shortage
The German auto industry faces a paradox: a severe shortage of skilled workers despite economic downturn and production cuts.
German
Germany
EconomyGermany Labour MarketLaborJobsAutomotive
VolkswagenContinentalZfInstitut Der Deutschen Wirtschaft (Iw)Kompetenzzentrum Fachkräftesicherung (Kofa)
Jurek Tiedemann
- Which categories of workers are most affected by the labor shortage?
- The shortage is particularly acute for highly qualified experts, such as engineers and IT specialists, while the number of unfilled positions for skilled workers with vocational training has slightly increased.
- What measures are major automakers considering in response to economic challenges?
- Major automakers like Volkswagen are considering job cuts and plant closures due to low capacity utilization and high costs, highlighting the economic challenges faced by the industry despite the labor shortage.
- How has the reduction in car production affected employment figures in the industry?
- The decrease in car production in 2023 (27% less than in 2014) has not significantly impacted employment in the industry; the number of employees even increased to 767,000 in 2023.
- What is the current situation regarding job vacancies in the German automotive industry?
- Despite economic uncertainty, the German auto industry faces a significant shortage of skilled workers, with around 10,300 unfilled positions between July 2023 and June 2024.
- What are the main factors driving the demand for skilled workers in the automotive industry?
- The industry's need for qualified personnel is driven by the shift towards electric mobility and the adoption of new technologies in the digital and ecological transformation.