No end in sight to the shortage of skilled workers

21.03.2024


Source: Energy & Management Powernews

Hiring staff is already difficult and time-consuming for energy companies. This is unlikely to change in the future, according to a recent survey.

Around 85 percent of companies in the energy industry assume that the energy transition will be delayed if the shortage of skilled workers persists. This is the result of a brief survey on personnel requirements in the energy industry conducted by BDEW together with Arthur D. Little at more than 150 companies.

According to the survey, companies are already finding it more difficult than before to find suitable personnel. 47 percent of those surveyed stated that they already have to make significantly more effort than before to adequately fill vacancies. 79 percent of companies expect the situation to worsen over the next two years.

The main reason for this is primarily demographic change (73 percent of respondents). However, the absolute increase in personnel requirements due to the transformation (56 percent) and increasing complexity (48 percent) also play a major role according to the companies.

The greatest demand is currently in the area of vocational training (68 percent) and master craftsmen (55 percent). Graduate specialists are urgently sought by 48 percent of companies. This has consequences: In addition to the delay in the energy transition, 53 percent of companies expect costs to rise and entrepreneurial interests to be neglected (38 percent).

"One thing is clear: coping with demographic change will not be easy. Nevertheless, there is cause for optimism: companies in the energy and water industry offer good working conditions, secure jobs and, with the energy transition, an extremely exciting, fulfilling and promising field of work. With these arguments, we have every chance of motivating young talent, career changers and foreign specialists to become part of this industry in the future," explains Kerstin Andreae, Chairwoman of the BDEW Executive Board.

The results of the survey on personnel requirements in the energy industry are available on the BDEW website.

Author: Katia Meyer-Tien