Skilled Labor Shortage in the Arms Industry
The shortage of skilled workers affects numerous sectors across Germany. According to data from the
German Economic Institute (IW) , there are over half a million positions in Germany that regularly go unfilled. The defense industry is no exception. Defense contractors such as Rheinmetall are struggling to hire enough new employees for all the new contracts they are receiving from the German Bundeswehr. The EU alone plans to invest
800 billion euros in European defense over the next four years. This translates into “hundreds of thousands of additional jobs in production, research and development, and sales,” as headhunter Eva Brückner revealed in an
interview with the Handelsblatt .
Given the growing need for Europe to be able to defend itself, Germany’s defense industry plays a crucial role. But for rearmament efforts to succeed, the issue of missing skilled workers must be addressed. Effective recruitment is therefore essential for upcoming defense projects and for the security of both Germany and Europe.
Solutions to the Skilled Labor Shortage in the Defense Sector
Several solutions have already been proposed to address the labor shortage. For instance, laid-off workers from the automotive industry could be retrained and transferred to the defense sector. But whether that will be enough is questionable—especially considering that in a few years, the baby boomer generation will retire.
So, what other solutions are available to guarantee the recruitment of new, qualified workers despite a cross-industry shortage—and to ensure that the German defense industry achieves its ambitious goals? After all, a lack of personnel leads to delayed deliveries or, in the worst case, makes delivery impossible.
Temporary Employment in the Defense Industry
To meet the demand for skilled workers in the defense sector, creative solutions are needed. One such solution to the skilled labor shortage in the arms industry is temporary employment, also known as labor leasing or staff outsourcing. This model is very popular in various industries due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. A company (in this case, a defense contractor) borrows the required workers from another company for a specific period. This allows the hiring company to avoid long recruitment processes and associated costs.
We have specialized in labor leasing from Eastern Europe for over 30 years, particularly from countries like Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and the Balkans. Skilled workers from Poland are especially popular among German companies due to their high motivation, reliability, and often excellent German language skills.
We are happy to help you find qualified professionals for the defense industry through temporary employment. Whether in cybersecurity, engineering, or production – we find and place the right workers. We take care of the entire process, from selection and transport to on-site accommodation. We also handle all legal aspects of temporary employment.
If you have any questions about staff leasing in the defense industry, feel free to contact us! We’re happy to provide you with an initial, non-binding offer.
