Focus on the future: Strong alliance formed to combat skills shortage

The need for this initiative is underpinned by the current labour market figures for October from the Federal Employment Agency and the economic structure analysis of Region 10 from 2021. 716 companies stated that they wanted to fill 4,000 new vacancies in the near future. 50 per cent of the companies surveyed cited specific problems in filling vacancies, including the professional qualifications of candidates, personal suitability, but also the attractiveness of the job profile or the cost of the necessary housing. 44 per cent of the companies would like to see further measures from the region's business development agencies to recruit skilled workers and employees.

The city of Ingolstadt is responding to this with the Skilled Labour Alliance. One of its aims is to support the training, recruitment and retention of skilled workers and labour in Ingolstadt and the region with the active participation of all partners involved. Together, efforts are to be bundled and intensified, existing activities stabilised and expanded and new measures initiated. Accompanying framework conditions such as digitalisation, climate protection and the energy transition will also be taken into account.

The alliance is supported by business, chambers, trade unions, educational institutions and city authorities. Ingolstadt University of Applied Sciences is also involved. THI President Professor Walter Schober emphasised: "With our current 1,600 international students, we also want to make a contribution to remedying the shortage of skilled workers in the region."