Education
Pharmaceutical industry warns of a shortage of skilled workers in MINT subjects
The proportion of academics in many industrial sectors is high. But with the aging population, specialists become scarce. What the pharmaceutical industry says.
The German pharmaceutical industry warns of an acute shortage of skilled workers that threatens the innovative strength of important industries. Already today, the need for highly qualified specialists is no longer covered, the Association of Researching Medicines Manufacturers (VFA) in Berlin said. Falling students in the particularly important subjects mathematics, computer science, natural science and technology (MINT) and an aging workforce tightened the situation.
Despite an increasing proportion of international students, the number of graduates is not sufficient in the long term in order to cover the growing need in research -intensive industries, according to a new study by the association that represents 46 industry companies.
The number of students in Germany is almost three million. But in 2020 the upward trend came to a standstill, since the number has been falling. At the same time, more and more experienced employees left the labor market due to age. In the manufacturing trade, 280,000 academics are likely to reach retirement age over the next ten years.
“Young people fail – and that structurally”
The pharmaceutical industry will be particularly affected by the problem because it has one of the highest academic parts in German industry with 34.5 percent. The proportion in the electrical industry is similarly large, followed by vehicle construction with around 25 percent. According to the information, the share of the academic is greatest away from IT services (around 49 percent).
The offspring will stop-and not only at short notice, but structurally, said VFA chief economist Claus Michelsen. “Without determined reforms, Germany will fall back in the international competition for talent.”
A specialist strategy is necessary, which includes incentives for MINT courses and a targeted immigration of specialists. “Bureaucratic hurdles have to be broken down and the whereabouts of international students have to be relieved.”
dpa
Source: Stern
