The need for skilled workers in the field of sanitary, heating and air conditioning technology has increased significantly, not least because of the climate policy goals. But many positions remain open.
According to an analysis, there is a large shortage of skilled workers in the field of sanitary, heating and air-conditioning technology. According to current figures from the competence center for securing skilled workers (Kofa) at the Institute of German Economics in Cologne, there were an average of 16,787 vacancies for journeymen and 1952 vacancies for master craftsmen nationwide in 2022.
Eight out of ten of these vacancies could not be filled because there were no suitably qualified unemployed. The gap in skilled workers has thus increased from 12,977 in 2021 to 13,702 in 2022. For the masters, the gap grew from 1251 to 1612 in the same period.
According to Lydia Malin, the Kofa labor market expert, the demand for skilled workers in the HVAC sector has increased significantly over the past ten years, particularly as a result of the climate policy goals. Companies reacted to this by offering more apprenticeships. However, the need for trainees is increasing faster than the number of potential applicants, so that more and more places remain unfilled.
Source: Stern
