Germany is facing a shortage of skilled workers as older employees retire, and there are not enough young people to take their places. To help address this issue, the country is increasingly looking to hire workers from India.
For Handirk von Ungern-Sternberg, it all began with an email he received in February 2021. It was from India.
Germany Recruits Indian Youth due to skill shortages
The main message was, “We have many young, motivated people seeking vocational training, and we want to know if you’re interested.”
At the time, von Ungern-Sternberg worked for the Freiburg Chamber of Skilled Crafts in southwest Germany. This trade body represents skilled workers, from bricklayers and carpenters to butchers and bakers, along with the companies that employ them. The email arrived at just the right time.
Frustrate with current employees
“We had many desperate employers who couldn’t find anyone to work for them,” says von Ungern-Sternberg. “So we decided to give it a try.”
His first call was to the leader of the local butchers’ guild. Butchers throughout Germany were struggling significantly. This was a sector in noticeable decline.
From 19,000 small, family-run businesses in 2002, fewer than 11,000 remained by 2021. Employers were finding it almost impossible to attract young people for apprenticeships.
“The butchery trade is hard work,” says the head of the butchers’ guild, Joachim Lederer. “For the last 25 years or so, young people have been choosing other paths.”
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