Shortage of skilled tradespeople: it takes 242 days to fill a vacancy

On the occasion of the Day of Crafts on 19 September 2026, the labour market data from the Federal Employment Agency paints a mixed picture: with just under 3.4 million employees, the skilled trades sector remains a key pillar of the German labour market. At the same time, employment is declining, demographic trends are increasing the demand for skilled workers, and recruiting new talent remains a challenge. Immigration is playing an increasingly important role in securing the workforce and skilled labour. 

14.09.2026 | Press release no.34

Over the past five years, the number of jobs in the skilled trades subject to social insurance contributions has fallen by four per cent. Overall, however, it has risen by five per cent. In June 2025, 3.36 million people across Germany were employed in a skilled trade, one per cent fewer than a year earlier. Around 718,000 people employed in the skilled trades are aged between 55 and under 65 and are expected to retire in the coming years. Admittedly, the proportion of young people employed in the skilled trades – at 17 per cent – is significantly higher than the overall average (nine per cent), and the number of new apprenticeship contracts concluded in the skilled trades has risen slightly over the last three years. Nevertheless, the number of new entrants is not sufficient to make up for the departures due to retirement.

Job vacancies are falling, but recruitment difficulties remain high

In the wake of the ongoing economic downturn, demand for workers in the skilled trades has also fallen. In 2025, an annual average of 123,000 vacancies in the skilled trades were reported, six per cent fewer than a year ago.

At the same time, it is taking longer and longer to fill vacancies in the skilled trades. Vacancies remained unfilled for an average of 242 days, which is significantly longer than the average for all occupations, where the figure is 167 days. This shows that it remains difficult to find suitable skilled workers. Just under half of all nationwide skills shortages at the skilled worker level are in the skilled trades – particularly in the construction and finishing trades, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning, as well as in electrical and mechatronics trades.

Immigration is becoming a key pillar in ensuring a supply of skilled workers

The demand for skilled workers is increasingly being met by workers from abroad. Last year, 576,000 foreign nationals were employed in skilled trades and were subject to social security contributions. At 17 per cent, their share is now as high as that of the labour force as a whole. Over the past ten years, this proportion has almost doubled.

The role of workers from third countries is growing. In June 2025, 296,000 employees of non-European nationality were working in the skilled trades sector. Whilst the number of German workers in skilled trades has been falling for years, the only group to have seen a rise in employment figures recently has been third-country nationals. Compared with the previous year, their number rose by 24,000. More than half of this increase in employment was accounted for by people from Ukraine and the eight main countries of origin of asylum seekers.

The employer services provided by employment agencies and job centres support and advise businesses in their search for suitable staff. They also provide assistance with enquiries relating to qualifications and further training, including catching up on a vocational qualification. Businesses can contact the local employer service via the freephone number: 0800 4 55 55 20 or via the Employer Services website (available in German only).

Full Report on the labour and vocational training market in the skilled trades (available in German only)

Wichtig:Official labour market statistics do not classify any occupation or company as belonging to the skilled trades sector. In order to be able to draw conclusions nonetheless, the Federal Employment Agency’s statistics department has compiled an aggregate of ‘typical’ skilled trades – that is, occupations that can be clearly classified as skilled trades. However, there are also many occupations that can be pursued in both industry and the skilled trades (e.g. electrical and electronics technicians). Furthermore, the list includes only occupations requiring vocational qualifications, further training or academic degrees – it does not include auxiliary occupations. The skilled crafts aggregate therefore represents only a subset of what goes on within the skilled crafts sector.