Skilled labour shortages in the northwest
Project implementers
University of Oldenburg
Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation
Dr Uwe Kröcher
Felix Bernshausen
in co-operation with the DGB region Oldenburg-Ostfriesland and its member unions
Skilled labour shortages in the northwest
Extent, causes, strategies
Project duration: October 2024 - February 2025
The project aims to analyse the quantitative extent, occupation-specific and regional impact of skills shortages in the North West. In addition, the structural reasons for skills shortages in selected occupational groups characterised by different qualities and wage levels will be examined: Agriculture and horticulture, catering, the food industry, metal processing and metal construction, plastics processing, construction, energy and electrical engineering, vehicle construction and education. This should make it possible to draw conclusions in order to assess strategic solutions such as extending working hours, increasing the labour force potential through activation, further education and qualification as well as improving working conditions and wages.
Research question
There are two main research questions:
1) Which factors are particularly relevant in explaining shortages of skilled labour in the various occupational groups? To answer this question, structural factors are included by means of regional statistical indicators (including the level of part-time employment and female employment, sector-specific training intensity, qualification levels and wage levels, childcare capacities and demographic indicators).
2) Which strategies and measures are best suited to ensuring and covering the demand for skilled labour and workers in the various occupational groups? Existing good company, regional and municipal policy approaches are identified and new approaches are developed from the findings and proposed to politicians and companies.
Research methods
The analysis of the extent of regional skills shortages is transferred to the regional level according to the four requirement levels in selected focus occupational groups using the methodology of the Federal Employment Agency's skills shortage analysis (with 6 shortage indicators) and expanded to include the group of so-called helpers.
Study: Skilled labour shortages in the north-west - extent, causes, strategies (short version)
We document here the short version of the study "Skilled labour shortages in the northwest - extent, causes, strategies" (Oldenburg, March 2025)
Study: Skilled labour shortages in the north-west - extent, causes, strategies (long version)
We document here the study "Skilled labour shortages in the northwest - extent, causes, strategies" (Oldenburg, March 2025).
How serious are skills shortages in the north-west?
Extent, causes and strategies
Event | Fri, 28.02.2025, 10:00-13:00 | Library Hall, University of Oldenburg
Finding and securing skilled labour is a challenge for many companies in the region - despite economic developments and crises in the industry that are mitigating the problem. In some occupational groups, vacancies can hardly be filled. But how serious are the bottlenecks in the region? What are the causes of these bottlenecks? And what measures are really effective in securing skilled labour?
We would like to discuss these questions with you. The basis for the discussion is a study on skills shortages in 12 selected occupational groups in the north-west, which was carried out by the Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation at the University of Oldenburg. The study is the result of a project carried out by the Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation with the DGB region Oldenburg-Ostfriesland and the individual regional trade unions with the support of the Hans Böckler Foundation.
Programme
- Opening: Dorothee Koch (Managing Director of the DGB Region Oldenburg-Ostfriesland)
- Lecture: Mohamed Faily (DGB Federal Executive Committee - Head of Department for Precarious Employment, Labour Migration and Skilled Labour Immigration)
- Presentation of the study: Dr Uwe Kröcher and Felix Bernshausen (Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation at the University of Oldenburg)
- Discussion with
- Matthias Brandner (Chamber of Agriculture, Specialist in Employee Counselling)
- Jörg Frerichs (HWK Ostfriesland, Managing Director)
- Tina Heliosch (Head of the Vechta and Osnabrück Employment Agencies)
- Dorothee Koch (Managing Director of the DGB Oldenburg-Ostfriesland region)
- Heiner Paffenholz (Oldenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce, Head of Skilled Labour Consultancy)
After the event, there will be the opportunity to have lunch together in the university canteen.
Participation in the event is free of charge. Please register by 25 February 2025 using the online registration form on the homepage of the Office for University and Trade Union Co-operation.
