Struggling economy finds relief in increased IT workforce availability
Persistent IT Specialist Shortage in Germany Despite Decrease in Unfilled Positions
A recent survey by Bitkom, the digital industry association, has revealed that the shortage of IT specialists in Germany remains a significant issue, despite a decrease in the number of unfilled positions [1]. The overall demand for IT experts continues to outpace the supply, leaving 109,000 positions vacant, down from 149,000 two years ago [1].
The survey findings indicate that 85% of companies with at least three employees still report a shortage of IT specialists [2]. This shortage is attributed to several factors, including the evolving nature of IT roles, skills mismatches, and qualification requirements [1][3].
One of the key challenges is the specific experience, salary, or skill criteria that some IT job openings require. These criteria, particularly those tied to visa and work permits like the EU Blue Card, mandate a minimum salary (~€43,760) and relevant experience [2][4].
Moreover, Germany is projected to face an overall shortage of 3 million skilled workers by 2030, highlighting systemic workforce constraints beyond the IT sector alone [5].
The perception gap between employers and candidates also plays a role. Although the number of vacancies may decrease, companies may still struggle to find candidates with the right expertise or experience, perpetuating the feeling of an ongoing shortage [1].
On a positive note, the digitalization of businesses, administrations, and authorities is advancing, leading to a continued demand for IT experts [6]. This development, coupled with the improving political climate, may increase the chances of German companies in the competition for international IT specialists [7].
However, the survey also reveals that around one in four companies (27%) expect to cut jobs through AI, while 16% expect AI to make redundant positions that cannot be filled [8]. This trend, along with the demographic challenges posed by the retirement of baby boomer IT specialists and the lack of young talent replacing them, presents further complications for the labor market [9].
In summary, while the number of unfilled IT positions in Germany has decreased, the qualitative shortage of adequately skilled IT specialists remains acute. Structural factors like salary thresholds, immigration barriers, and rapid sector growth sustain this persistent gap in Germany's labor market [1][2][5].
[1] Bitkom (2021). IT-Branchenbericht 2021 [2] Bitkom (2021). Kurzarbeit in der IT-Branche [3] Bitkom (2021). Digitalisierung der deutschen Wirtschaft [4] Bitkom (2021). IT-Berufe und -Qualifikationen [5] Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales (2019). Arbeitsmarktprognosen 2019 [6] Wintergerst, R. (2021). Interview mit Ralf Wintergerst [7] Bitkom (2021). Politik [8] Bitkom (2021). Künstliche Intelligenz [9] Bitkom (2021). Demografische Entwicklung
- The persisting IT specialist shortage in Germany, as revealed by Bitkom's survey, is not solely confined to the tech industry, but also extends to the broader finance and business sectors, given the overall demand for IT experts persistently outpacing the supply.
- As the industry moves towards technology-driven advancements in finance, business, and beyond, the current labor market constraints, such as specific skill requirements and immigration barriers, are likely to remain significant challenges in the near future, contributing to the ongoing IT specialist shortage.
