These sectors are particularly affected
The shortage of skilled workers remains one of the biggest structural challenges for Germany as a business location. Current evaluations clearly show this, in which sectors the bottlenecks are greatest - and why international recruitment, especially from West Africa, is becoming a key strategy for many companies.
Healthcare: The biggest bottleneck
The hardest hit continues to be the Healthcare. Across Germany, tens of thousands of jobs remain permanently unfilled. The concentration on just a few professions is particularly critical:
Healthcare and nursing
Elderly care
Medical and dental assistants
Hospitals, care facilities and outpatient services are under massive pressure. National applicant markets are largely exhausted - Qualified immigration is increasingly becoming the only realistic relief.
Construction, skilled trades and finishing trades: bottlenecks are slowing growth
Also in the Construction and finishing trades the situation is worsening. In areas such as construction installation, interior fit-out or preparatory construction site work, a large proportion of vacancies are concentrated in just a few professions.
The consequences are tangible:
Delayed construction projects
Stalled residential construction
Bottlenecks in renovation and the energy transition
At the same time, a vicious circle is created: No skilled workers without housing - no housing without skilled workers. Middle-income professions are particularly affected by this.
Trade, industry and social services: Broad impact
The shortage of skilled workers is no longer limited to individual bottleneck sectors. Also Retail, logistics, industry and social services report structural gaps. In the social sector, large parts of the shortage are attributable to a few key qualifications - with a direct impact on care, provision and municipal services.
What this means for companies
There is a clear reality for employers:
National recruiting alone is no longer enough.
Successful companies are increasingly relying on:
International recruitment, especially from young, motivated labor markets such as West Africa
Structured mediation processes instead of individual recruitment
Early language support (B1/B2) and realistic preparation
Support with integration, entry and housing
Why West Africa is gaining in importance
West Africa offers a decisive demographic advantage:
a young population, high motivation and a growing willingness to prepare specifically for Germany.
At Always moving forward – Trainee & Recruitment we connect this potential market with the specific needs of German companies - in a practical, transparent and plannable way.
Today, the shortage of skilled workers affects entire industries and key job profiles. Companies that have adapted their HR strategy International, structured and long-term secure decisive competitive advantages.
International trainees and skilled workers from West Africa are not a short-term substitute - but a Sustainable component of the solution.
We at the Immer Weiter team do not pass on random applications. We pass on motivated people with prospects, Honest, structured, and responsible.
Our goal is long-term successful integration into training and employment—for applicants and companies alike.
