A significant majority of German companies are identifying a critical shortage of skilled workers as their foremost challenge in workforce planning, according to a recent survey conducted by Randstad and Ifo Institute. The research indicates that 52% of businesses now consider the skills gap the primary obstacle in their personnel strategies.
The scarcity is particularly acute among candidates possessing vocational training qualifications. Jonas Hennrich, an Ifo Institute researcher, noted that this shortage is observable within the hiring process itself, suggesting a shift in power dynamics. “The lack of qualified personnel is noticeable even in the application process. Currently, employees have more negotiating power” he stated.
The survey reveals that 49% of HR managers perceive applicants as holding a stronger negotiating position. While only 11% believe that employers currently hold the advantage, 40% anticipate a more balanced situation.
Job cuts are proving to be a less prominent concern; just 9% of companies list them as a key element of their personnel planning. Twenty percent recognize shared relevance between the skills shortage and potential job reductions, while 19% report that neither development currently impacts their operations.
The survey highlights a pronounced need for vocational training graduates, with 77% of HR professionals experiencing a “strong” or “considerable” deficit in this category. A significant 58% also report shortages in roles requiring advanced qualifications, such as those held by skilled technicians, master craftsmen and individuals with ongoing professional development.
Efforts to recruit school leavers and trainees are also proving difficult, with 51% of businesses finding it challenging to fill these positions. Demand for university graduates remains elevated as well, with 47% of companies struggling to secure suitable candidates. Conversely, there is comparatively less concern about securing unskilled laborers, with just 22% identifying a gap in this area.