Construction pros in demand: NRW seeks additional road construction specialists
In North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), a significant skilled worker shortage in the road construction industry is causing traffic jams on numerous dilapidated roads and bridges. This issue is further exacerbated by demographic development, as many employees are set to retire in the coming years.
Straßen.NRW, the organisation responsible for the majority of federal and state roads in NRW, including approximately 4,000 km of federal roads and approximately 11,600 km of state roads, is struggling to acquire personnel. The transfer of responsibility for federal motorways from Straßen.NRW to the federal Autobahn GmbH, part of a broader restructuring effort in Germany, has led to a massive loss of qualified and experienced employees, with around 4,000 employees remaining out of the original 6,500.
The construction industry, including road construction, often faces challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers. These shortages can be exacerbated by factors like an aging workforce, lack of younger skilled workers entering the field, and the demands of large-scale infrastructure projects. The labor market in Germany, including NRW, is subject to various economic and demographic factors that can influence the availability of skilled workers. Efforts to attract and retain skilled labor, such as training programs and incentives, are crucial for addressing shortages.
Construction is ongoing on the A42, A2, and A516 motorways in Oberhausen, causing daily traffic jams. SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has called for a concept to address this issue, stating the need for more skilled workers in road construction. Bongers suggests making the profession more attractive and providing significantly more training to address the shortage.
This personnel shortage is a significant issue not only in Oberhausen but across NRW, as Straßen.NRW competes with municipalities, private employers, and the federal Autobahn GmbH for personnel. The organisation's tasks include the condition assessment and evaluation of roads and the approximately 6,800 traffic sign bridges, bridges, and tunnels.
As the transfer of responsibility for federal motorways in NRW from Straßen.NRW to the federal Autobahn GmbH continues, the personnel situation in Straßen.NRW remains a major concern. It is essential for the organisation and the government to address this issue to ensure the timely repair and maintenance of NRW's roads and bridges, reducing traffic congestion and improving safety for all road users.
Due to the ongoing skilled worker shortage in the road construction industry, traffic jams persist on highways like the A42, A2, and A516 in Oberhausen. To alleviate this problem, SPD state parliamentarian Sonja Bongers has advocated for attracting more skilled workers to road construction and proposes enhancing training programs to address the shortage.
The labor crisis is not limited to Oberhausen, but is a widespread concern across North Rhine-Westphalia, as Straßen.NRW struggles to meet the demands of road assessment, maintenance, and repair, competing for personnel with municipalities, private employers, and the federal Autobahn GmbH.
