Digitisation Jobs: Shortage of 128,000 Skilled Workers by 2027

Computer scientists, electronics technicians, electrical engineers or technical system planners: according to the new IW study, the number of employees in these professions will increase by almost 14 per cent to more than three million by 2027. And yet there will be a shortage of 128,000 skilled workers in three years’ time, even more than in the previous record year of 2022, when the shortage of skilled workers in digitalisation professions was 123,000. The projection assumes that the trends of the past seven years will continue.

Biggest shortage of IT experts

In absolute figures, there will be a shortage of IT experts, such as data scientists, in 2027: there will be a shortage of around 19,000 specialists across Germany. This is closely followed by specialists in construction electrics with 15,000 unfilled positions. The third-largest skills gap is among electrical engineers with a master’s or diploma degree. It is noticeable that many new colleagues are being sought in digital electrical professions in particular, yet it is increasingly impossible to fill the vacancies.

Career guidance and immigration

“Companies in Germany are asking for significantly more skilled workers with digital expertise than the labour market can provide,” says study author Alexander Burstedde, summarising the problem. “The battle for bright minds is increasingly becoming a no-win situation: one person’s valuable skills may be seen as a gap or lack by someone else.” On the one hand, vocational training for young people and retraining for older people could increase the number of skilled workers. However, more well-qualified immigrants are also important and unavoidable. “Skilled workers in digitalisation professions are in demand worldwide, which is why we should make it as easy as possible for them to choose Germany,” says Burstedde. “This requires a stronger focus on service, especially when it comes to bureaucracy, finding accommodation and integration. The state, employers and society are all in demand.”