Guido Seifen, managing director of the German company Omexom Hochspannung, which employs around 500 people and builds major power lines, stated that finding skilled workers in Germany for dispersed construction sites is increasingly tough. The work often requires sacrificing family life and a stable home during the week.
Modern Recruitment Efforts in Vietnam
To address this shortage, Seifen hopes to recruit skilled workers from Vietnam through a German-Vietnamese development cooperation project. Vietnam is undergoing a transition to renewable energy with support from the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). Germany specifically needs overhead line technicians and Vietnam’s electricity provider EVN has established a training center to prepare workers for this role.
Training and Certification
Omexom plans to contribute its expertise by training EVN’s Vietnamese instructors in Germany, ensuring they meet local standards and can provide certification recognized by the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce. GIZ is also establishing German language courses at the training center in Vietnam.
The goal is to train enough technicians to offer jobs to approximately half of them in Germany, potentially up to 200 workers, which Seifen describes as a “win-win situation.”
The WE-Fair Alliance and Broader Context
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to attract foreign skilled workers to Germany while simultaneously strengthening training programs in their countries of origin. The newly established WE-Fair alliance aims to support these types of projects. Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan emphasized Germany’s need for qualified skilled workers, noting that over 20% of the German workforce is 55 or older and will retire within the next decade.
Demographic projections indicate Germany will need 400,000 foreign skilled workers annually for the next ten years, requiring approximately 1.6 million immigrants overall.
Recruitment is increasingly focused on countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, where young, educated populations are seeking opportunities abroad.
Challenges Remain
However, experts warn that German companies often underestimate the support new workers require. Edith Otiende‑Lawani, a consultant supporting migrant integration, noted the unrealistic expectation that workers will arrive fully trained and quickly integrate. Gerhard Hain, an intercultural advisor, added that cultural differences in communication and leadership styles can present significant hurdles. Bureaucratic delays in the immigration process also remain a major obstacle, with even “accelerated” procedures often taking years.
a growing number of foreign skilled workers are leaving Germany, citing unmet expectations. Entrepreneur Jasmin Arbabian-Vogel believes that Germany’s treatment of immigrants is a key factor in retention.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Omexom Hochspannung?
Omexom Hochspannung is a medium-sized German company employing around 500 people that builds major power lines, and Guido Seifen is its managing director.
What is the WE-Fair alliance?
The WE-Fair alliance is a newly established initiative aimed at the fair recruitment of skilled workers, strengthening training structures, and transferring knowledge in countries of origin.
How many skilled workers does Germany need?
Demographic researchers have calculated that Germany will need 400,000 foreign skilled workers each year over the next decade.
Given the challenges facing Germany in attracting and retaining skilled workers, will the country be able to meet its labor needs in the coming years?
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