The shortage of skilled workers is increasingly confronting companies in Germany with major challenges. In view of the demographic and transformational tasks, there is a considerable danger that this situation will exacerbate.
Pharmaceuticals in Transition: The Need for Skilled Labour in an Era of Digital Transformation
German Economic Institute (IW)
The shortage of skilled workers is increasingly confronting companies in Germany with major challenges. In view of the demographic and transformational tasks, there is a considerable danger that this situation will exacerbate.
Companies in the pharmaceutical industry are also among those facing difficulties in filling vacancies, a situation which could adversely affect Germany's positioning in the international competition between innovative pharmaceutical industries. On the one hand, unfilled vacancies in IT professions indispensable to the pharmaceutical sector are a nationwide problem. In particular, the widespread scarcity of IT, business information systems and software development experts, who are also increasingly in demand in other sectors, is proving particularly challenging. Germany’s pharmaceutical industry, which specialises in research as well as the development and production of highly complex medicines, can only succeed by forging ahead with the process of digitalisation, and long-term shortages in this area could well become a serious hurdle for the future development of its domestic production. On the other hand, an analysis of skilled worker bottlenecks in the biotechnology-based cluster of Upper Bavaria illustrates the impact of potential staff shortages on Germany's hopes of enhancing its position as a centre for highly innovative and biotech-based pharmaceuticals. This difficulty of filling vacancies in key professions relevant to the sector, and here especially for those with recognised apprenticeship programmes, poses particular challenges for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.
Pharmaceuticals in Transition: The Need for Skilled Labour in an Era of Digital Transformation
German Economic Institute (IW)
More on the topic
Pharmaceutical industry: Increasing pressure on the labor market
The shortage of skilled workers poses significant challenges for pharmaceutical companies in Germany and is expected to become increasingly problematic in the context of demographic changes. Concerning Germany's positioning in the international competition ...
IW
Immigration from Latin America: Successes and potential for securing skilled workers
Against the background of the baby boomers leaving the labour market, Germany will be increasingly dependent on skilled workers from abroad in the coming years in order to secure growth and prosperity.
IW