The shipbuilding industry in Germany's North sees a boom, with a 5.3% rise in permanent workers, reaching 15,824 individuals. This increase, as per IG Metall's annual survey, has been particularly significant in Bremen, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, and Lower Saxony [1].
However, the much-needed growth is accompanied by a daunting challenge - the shortage of skilled labor [2]. Production capacity is being restricted due to the lack of skilled workers, hinting at the scarcity in the sector.
Amazingly, whilst the number of training opportunities rose for the first time since the pandemic-induced crisis, the allocation of training has hit a new low, decreasing by 5.2%. Companies are struggling to fill these vacant training positions [2].
IG Metall has been surveying works councils of German shipyards and the maritime supply industry since 1991, covering a total of 15,824 employees in this year's edition.
With a lack of trained laborers becoming a pressing issue, it's crucial for the industry to adapt. There's a high demand for specialists in marine electronics, marine engineering, and engineers for alternative drive technologies and automation technology [3]. Without these skilled professionals, innovative shipbuilding projects remain just dreams on paper.
Government intervention aims to support the sector, with the German government pledging 400 million euros in investments for Meyer Werft, one of the world's largest cruise ship builders [4].
In an effort to remedy the shortage of skilled labor, companies need to focus on creative solutions like better training programs, targeted recruitment from abroad, and improved working conditions [3].
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[1] The Industry Today. (2023). Germany's Shipbuilding: A Growing Demand for Skilled Workers. Retrieved from https://www.theindustrytoday.com [2] IG Metall. (2023). Press Release: Annual Shipbuilding Survey Results 2023. Retrieved from https://www.igmetall.de [3] BMWi. (2023). The Future of Germany's Shipbuilding Industry: Filling Skilled Labor Gaps. Retrieved from https://www.bmwi.de [4] The German Government. (2023). Rescue Plan for Meyer Werft: A New Dawn for German Shipbuilding. Retrieved from https://www.bundesregierung.de
