Erfurt (dpa/th) – According to the chambers of industry and commerce in Thuringia, the search for suitable employees is the most important issue for companies in the coming years. Larger companies in particular were already missing employees, the three Thuringian chambers announced on Wednesday. They referred to the results of their autumn survey, in which around 1,000 companies took part between September and October 2022.
According to this, three out of four companies with 50 or more employees could make additional appointments. There are vacancies in 59 percent of companies with ten to 49 employees. Of the companies with one to nine employees, 30 percent have vacancies. “We are primarily looking for trainees and people who have completed vocational training,” the statement said. While graduates are mainly needed in the service sector, unskilled workers are most likely to have opportunities in the hospitality industry.
According to the chambers, companies are uncertain about the coming months in view of falling margins. With 65 out of a possible 200 points, the IHK economic climate indicator has reached its lowest value since reunification.
A recession is looming. However, this will not lead to a serious increase in unemployment. In the survey, only four percent of the companies stated that they currently have too many employees. On the other hand, there are vacancies in every second company, some of which have been vacant for months. “In particular, the transport industry with 71 percent of the companies, industry with 61 percent and the hospitality industry with 60 percent have permanent vacancies.”
At the same time, every fifth company expects to employ fewer people in the coming months, while 8 percent expect the number of employees to increase. “Many companies will probably look less aggressively for staff in the coming months if employees reorient themselves professionally or go into well-deserved retirement,” said the general manager of the IHK Südthüringen, Ralf Pieterwas.
The staff shortages had an impact on wage developments. Every second company expects a high financial burden in the coming years as a result of rising wages.
