Job engine is looking for recipes against labor shortages – Economy

That’s not easy to understand. Almost the whole world is talking about an economic downturn or even a recession. On the other hand, towns and villages are full of posters or notices encouraging people to apply for vacancies.

Demographic change explains at least in part the apparent contradiction between the economic situation, which is sometimes becoming more difficult, and the shortage of skilled workers. The baby boomers, the baby boomers, are gradually retiring. Replacing her is difficult. That’s why it’s all the more remarkable when companies succeed in creating and filling many new jobs. It is just as important to keep employees with good ideas, attractive additional benefits and convincing concepts in the company.

Both the effort to increase employment and the effort to bind staff to the company are recognized in the Job Motor competition, which will be in its 17th round in 2023. Since 2006, it has been organized jointly by the Badische Zeitung, the Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHK) of the southern Upper Rhine, Hochrhein-Bodensee and Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg, as well as the Freiburg Chamber of Crafts and the Baden Industrial Association (WVIB). The award ceremony for the job engine traditionally takes place in the Meckelhalle of the Sparkasse Freiburg-Nordlicher Breisgau.

The participating companies have created around 19,900 new jobs in south-west Germany since the start of the job engine. The competition differentiates and does not compare apples with oranges. The award comes in three categories: for companies with up to 19 employees, for companies with 20 to 199 employees and for companies with 200 or more employees. All positions subject to social security contributions are counted, whether part-time or full-time – including apprenticeships, but not mini-jobs. This division also gives smaller companies, which are otherwise less in the public eye, the opportunity to attract a great deal of interest.

The second category, “Finding and retaining employees”, is about recognizing sophisticated concepts that companies use to counter the shortage of labour. A higher participation of women in working life helps to counteract the shortage. Good offers for childcare make it easier for parents to pursue paid work or to increase their part-time share. Companies can also offer a variety of incentives here – such as setting up a company kindergarten. The compatibility of family and work is a decisive prerequisite for equal opportunities in a company and in the economy as a whole.

Knowledge is the key to economic success. Older employees have an enormous amount of knowledge due to their many years of experience. Those who can keep this group in the company for a long time and meet their special needs have a clear competitive advantage.

The federal government wants to integrate more people with disabilities into the labor market. Federal Labor Minister Hubertus Heil recently made this clear again. Companies can also do something to ensure that “people with disabilities can take part in working life on an equal footing and in a self-determined way,” as the minister says.

Another key factor when it comes to employment is immigration. It’s hard to imagine the German economy without people with roots in other countries. Without them, nothing at all would work in many sectors. How can they best be integrated? For example, how are language barriers overcome? Successful recipes are awarded at the Jobmotor. This prize is independent of the number of newly created positions and is also awarded in three categories: small, medium, large.