Half a million training places in the STEM-area are vacant in Germany
- 13. 02. 2019
The scarcest resource in the German labor market are specialists in STEM subjects – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic. The Mint shortage of skilled workers raised by the Institute of the German Economy (IW) is growing – by the end of 2018 nearly half a million jobs were vacant.
Federal Education Minister Anja Karliczek now wants to counter this deficiency with an Action Plan becaus good STEM education is essential in the modern, digital world. Suggestions of search engines on the Internet or the development of new ideas and business models can only evaluate who understands what an algorithm is, „said Karliczek.
For this purpose, the many STEM-Supporters who have been involved in more STEM education for years – especially in business and their associations – should better coordinate their activities. In return, the ministry will provide an additional 55 million euros by 2022.
The Education Minister emphasizes the responsibility of the business community: the quality of vocational education and training must be secured and increased, says the action plan. It said that „a good balance between professionally and academically qualified in the STEM area is indispensable“.
That was addressed because a lot of companies have significantly reduced their efforts to train apprentices in recent years.