The term ‘bottleneck occupation’, often also referred to as a ‘shortage occupation’, refers to an occupational field in which the number of available workers is not sufficient to meet demand. As a result, the demand for skilled workers exceeds the actual supply. In the long term, a shortage of skilled workers can arise in the affected areas.
A shortage of skilled workers is considered to be permanent when the bottlenecks in the respective occupational fields persist over a longer period of time. Small and medium-sized companies are often particularly affected. There are currently bottlenecks in areas such as nursing, in the construction and skilled trades sector, in the IT industry, among professional drivers, educators and in system catering. In 2023, the Federal Employment Agency has identified a total of 183 occupations in which there is a significant shortage of skilled workers.
The following occupational fields, among others, fall into the category of ‘bottleneck occupations’
- Nursing and health care occupations
- Skilled trades (e.g. carpentry, glazing, bricklaying)
- Professional drivers
- Childcare and social education
- Renewable energy
- Civil engineering
- Horticulture
- Meat processing
- Sale of bakery products
- Food production
- Livestock farming
- Professions in forestry
- Professions in ophthalmic optics
- Professions in hearing aid acoustics
- Freight forwarding and logistics clerks
- Professions in plumbing
- Professions in road and asphalt construction
- Professions in track construction
- Professions in the plumbing, heating and air conditioning
- Professions in the hotel service
- Medical assistants
- Technical professions
- Professions in the construction electrics
- Professions in the production of building materials
- Catering professions
Why do bottleneck occupations occur?
One of the main causes of shortage occupations and the associated shortage of skilled workers in Germany is demographic change. The population in this country is getting older and older on average. The baby boomer generation will retire in the coming years.
At the same time, the birth rate is falling, meaning that there is a shortage of young workers to fill the vacancies that become available. In addition, advancing digitalisation is creating many new occupational fields, including in the IT and AI sectors, for which there are not yet enough qualified specialists available.
The shortage of skilled workers in Germany is expected to increase
According to a study by the German Economic Institute, there will be a shortage of around 728,000 skilled workers in 2027. Traditional apprenticeships, such as nursing, skilled trades and hospitality, are already suffering from a shortage of young talent.
The extent of the shortage of skilled workers is already apparent in the care sector: an ageing society needs significantly more care staff and medical care. There is a lack of well-trained specialists in many areas. Rural areas in particular are affected by the effects of bottleneck occupations and the associated shortage of skilled workers. Many young people prefer to study and work in larger cities.
Even large companies in rural areas have difficulties filling vacancies. In addition, rural areas often have poor infrastructure and inadequate public transport connections. Without targeted measures, such as the immigration of skilled workers or the ‘Chancenkarte’ (opportunities card), this trend will continue to worsen in the coming years.
Why bottleneck occupations are particularly attractive for ‘Chancenkarte’ holders
For holders of the Chancenkarte, bottleneck occupations can represent an interesting career opportunity. In order to counteract the shortage of skilled workers in these occupations, German companies are desperately seeking suitable skilled workers from abroad.
For this reason, employment in a bottleneck occupation could make it easier for foreign applicants to enter Germany. Chancenkarte holders who receive a one-year residence permit for their job search in Germany have good prospects for a long-term stay in the country if they are employed in a bottleneck occupation.
Further advantages for Chancenkarte holders in bottleneck occupations
- better and faster hiring opportunities
- lower qualification requirements
- simplified recognition of degrees
- accelerated approval process
- good chances for long-term or permanent residency
Conclusion
Chancenkarte holders can expect faster and easier access to the German labour market if they are employed in a bottleneck occupation. According to estimates by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, there are currently 1.8 million vacancies in Germany, including many in bottleneck occupations. With the Chancenkarte, applicants can search for suitable employment in Germany.
The likelihood of long-term residence prospects increases with employment in a bottleneck occupation. Recognition and approval processes could be accelerated for holders of the Chancenkarte. This benefits not only the holders of the Chancenkarte, but also the companies.
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