Massive shortage of skilled workers in engineering and computer science professions: foreign engineers and engineers as an answer?

Von NAG Redaktion

Deutschland leidet unter einem massiven Fachkräftemangel in den Ingenieur- und Informatikberufen, was zu einem jährlichen Wertschöpfungsverlust von bis zu 13 Milliarden Euro führt. Der Ingenieurmonitor von VDI und IW zeigt, dass der Bedarf an Ingenieurinnen und Ingenieuren aufgrund der Digitalisierung und Transformation weiterhin hoch ist. Die Zuwanderung ausländischer Ingenieurinnen und Ingenieure hat dazu beigetragen, den Mangel zu mildern, wobei vor allem süd- und ostdeutsche Bundesländer profitieren. Um die Lücke zu schließen, sind Maßnahmen zur Begeisterung junger Menschen für Technik und Wissenschaft sowie zur Förderung von Frauen im Ingenieurberuf erforderlich. Der VDI setzt sich für die Integration ausländischer Fachkräfte ein und bietet ein Mentoring-Programm an.
Germany suffers from a massive shortage of skilled workers in the engineering and computer science professions, which leads to an annual loss of value of up to 13 billion euros. The VDI and IW engineering monitor shows that the need for engineers is still high due to digitization and transformation. Immigration of foreign engineers has contributed to alleviating the defect, whereby South and East German federal states in particular benefit. In order to close the gap, measures to enthusiastic young people for technology and science and to promote women in the engineering profession are required. The VDI is committed to the integration of foreign specialists and offers a mentoring program. (Symbolbild/MB)

massive shortage of skilled workers in the engineering and computer science professions: Annual loss of value creation is up to 13 billion euros

The shortage of skilled workers in the engineering and computer science professions continues to be a major challenge for Germany. Despite the decline in the open positions compared to the previous year, the country still suffers from a massive lack of qualified specialists. The current bottlenecks in these professional fields lead to an enormous annual loss of value of up to 13 billion euros. These are the central results of the engineering monitor of VDI and IW.

In particular due to digitization and transformation, the need for engineers continuously increases. However, the number of vacancies has dropped by 15.6 percent. Nevertheless, there are positive signals that indicate that companies are still looking for qualified engineers.

Most bottlenecks are available in the areas of energy and electrical engineering, construction/measurement/building technology and architecture, machine and vehicle technology as well as computer science. To close these gaps, measures are required to inspire young people for technology and science. Women in particular play an important role here, since their share in the engineering profession is still low.

A positive aspect is the immigration of foreign specialists, which leads to relief in the engineering and computer science professions. From 2012 to 2023, the number of foreign employees rose by 146.6 percent in these professions. This has made a significant contribution to securing the specialists and significantly reduced the loss of value.

Especially in Bavaria, Hesse, Thuringia, Brandenburg and Berlin is the proportion of foreign employees in engineering professions. Immigration has proven to be an important factor for securing skilled workers, especially in the Munich area.

In order to integrate immigrant specialists into the labor market and society, the VDI has initiated the VDI-XPAND project. Here, immigrant engineers are provided with an experienced VDI member as a mentor. This mentoring program is supplemented by network events on site.

In order to make Germany more attractive for specialists, further measures are required. It is important to reduce bureaucratic hurdles and to convey interest in technology at an early stage. This is the only way to combat the shortage of skilled workers sustainably and strengthen the innovation location.