Germany needs both highly qualified personnel and ordinary workers
Journalists from Deutsche Welle decided to find out what chances foreign candidates have, where German employers are waiting for them, and how long-term the employment prospects in Germany are. Economist and leading specialist in labor market shortage analysis Alexander Burstedde spoke about what everyone planning to work in Germany should know.
– Such studies, of course, cause euphoria among job seekers when they hear that Germany needs personnel, that the German economy depends on the influx of qualified specialists from abroad. This is also the conclusion of your current study. Does Germany really urgently need new personnel?
– There are two reasons why Germany will certainly find good use for foreign specialists. The first is a shortage of personnel in many areas, as too few people have chosen these professions. The second, more serious problem is the demographics of Germany's population. The country simply does not have enough young people to replace workers who are now about 50-54 years old when they retire. We can only be glad if we manage to cover this deficit through an influx of labor from abroad.
– Can Russian-speaking specialists fill the deficit in the German labor market?
– Of course, they have the same chances as specialists from other countries. In Germany, a lot depends on compliance with all formalities: you must have a certificate or diploma recognized in the German labor market. Strict rules are currently in place. After recognition and with a sought-after specialty, it is quite easy to find a job in Germany today.
There are two options: the "Blue Card" for specialists with higher education and the "Positive List" (Positivliste) for people without higher education. If your specialty is not on the list of those in demand in Germany, it will be difficult to find a job. The healthcare sector is subject to another important condition: other countries also face a shortage of personnel in this area, and Germany, in order not to cause harm, does not intend to pursue an active policy of attracting personnel from countries with a shortage of specialists.
– And who does Germany need most – highly qualified personnel or workers?
– There is demand for both. For many years, we have observed a shortage of specialists with higher education. Currently, small and medium-sized businesses are the main ones in need of personnel, and as a rule, they are looking for specialists with vocational education. In absolute terms, the highest demand today is for such personnel. And here, enterprises could accept foreign specialists.
– Is the German labor market ready to accept foreign specialists today?
– On average, the demand for specialists, including foreign ones, is very high. But not every company is actively looking for employees. Large companies and corporations receive enough applications from job seekers, while small enterprises in the German provinces sometimes cannot find a person for a single vacancy. Another aspect: how international is the company itself? In some teams, employees from various countries work, while there are firms where English is hardly spoken.
For a job seeker, it is important to ensure that their education meets the criteria of the German labor market, and then look for a job. Of course, you can apply for any vacancy, but to have real chances, you need to consider the market conditions.
Another important point is language. German is not the easiest, but unfortunately, as of today, it is still a mandatory requirement. You need to know German or be ready to learn it to find employment in Germany. Language is needed for daily work. Whether it's a construction site where it's important to understand safety rules, or industry when you work with expensive equipment and need to understand what is written in the instructions. This information will not always be available in English.
– And what specific specialists are needed?
– This is a very long list; I certainly cannot list all of them, but in general, all specialties related to technology are in high demand. For example, if you are an electrical engineer, you have good chances, as do specialists in mechanics in the industrial sector or in construction design.
The second niche is healthcare. Germany needs nursing staff, doctors, physiotherapists, and occupational therapists. Craft professions are also in demand. If you know about refrigeration systems or are a hearing aid specialist, you have very good chances.
– Are German companies ready to invest in personnel?
– The situation varies greatly. There are companies that behave the same as 10 years ago, when there were many unemployed in Germany. They are very picky and only take the best of the best. Some companies, of course, understand that the labor market situation will be more tense in the coming years, and they are ready to take, so to speak, far from ideal candidates and invest in their further training. And there are companies that have already despaired of finding personnel, which have even set up centers for searching abroad, but cannot cover their demand. These are still isolated cases, but I think over time there will be more such companies.
– Were there any unexpected results in your study?
– Actually, no. In essence, there can be no element of surprise here at all. We have known about the demographic problem for a long time. But what does surprise us somewhat is that in Germany the number of university students has been growing rapidly recently, while the number of vocational school students is declining. This trend has led to a situation where in some academic fields the recruitment situation is completely calm. We have three times as many engineering graduates as ten years ago. But in other fields that require vocational school graduates, there is a shortage. And this situation can be exploited by foreign specialists who cannot find work in their home countries. You can get an idea of the German labor market on special platforms – on the German government's website "Make it in Germany!" and on our project's website KOFA.
– Is employment in Germany for the long term?
– In most cases, it is better to approach it as a long-term project. If companies invest, then of course they do not want to lose an employee after two or three years. I think if you are willing to work on your German and bring your qualifications up to German standards, you will be able to establish yourself well here.