Labor market: DIHK: Personnel shortages in companies are increasing

labour market
DIHK: Personnel shortages in companies are increasing

According to a report by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, staff shortages are increasing in companies in Germany.

In the coming years it will be more and more difficult for companies to fight the shortage of skilled workers, said the deputy DIHK managing director Achim Dercks on Monday in Berlin. Staff shortages threatened to slow down growth.

According to the current DIHK skilled workers report, which is based on responses from around 23,000 companies, the shortage of skilled workers is the greatest business risk for companies. 51 percent are therefore unable to fill positions, at least in part, because they cannot find suitable workers. In the fall, only 32 percent of companies reported this due to the corona; before the pandemic it was 47 percent. According to the information, the largest gaps in qualified personnel can be found in the construction industry, in the health industry and in mechanical engineering.

When in doubt, the shelves remain empty

According to the report, 85 percent of companies expect the growing shortage of skilled workers to have negative effects. 43 percent expect that they will lose or reject orders or have to reduce their offer if the necessary staff is lacking. In 2019 it was 39 percent.

Specifically, this means, for example: Construction projects fail because there are too few specialists available for planning and execution. Or: If there is a lack of truck drivers or employees in the logistics area, industrial production processes could stall if the necessary preliminary products are not delivered on time, according to the DIHK. In addition, there could be problems with deliveries to the retail trade – shelves would remain empty in case of doubt.

Dercks said the shortage of skilled workers would worsen in the coming years because more employees retired than came back from school.

dpa