Binks Overseas

Germany is struggling to find trade workers as high school graduates pursue less physically demanding careers. Now a program in a flood-hit region is convincing jobseekers about the advantages of learning a trade.
In Germany, many young people go to college. Others sign up for a year of voluntary social work. The one thing many young people don't do is learn a trade, and the numbers show it. Last year, every second trade business couldn't find enough suitable applicants for all their apprenticeship training positions.
"The trades really have problems getting enough young talent," said Kilian Bizer, a professor of economic policy at the University of Göttingen.
This is particularly true for trades working with climate change technologies. Tradespeople are in high demand for everything from installing solar systems or heat pumps to renovating house facades or connecting charging stations for electric cars.
Apprenticeships are also important to alleviate the shortage of skilled workers that already exists in the trades. But how do you attract young people to careers that usually require a lot of physical activity?

A special project in the Ahr Valley
One idea has come out of the Ahr Valley, a region in western Germany in the state of Rhineland Palatinate. Tradespeople are particularly sought after here because the area was hit by a severe flood in 2021. Many buildings, roads and other infrastructure were damaged or completely destroyed. Volunteers poured in to help. A lot needed to be done. But like in the rest of Germany, businesses here lacked young talent.

Are you looking for work in Germany? Could you bridge the skills shortage gap?
Binks Overseas Ltd over a full Employer of Record (EoR) service in Germany - please contact jeanette.dawes@binksoverseas.com to find out more!