"With the upturn in the economic situation and with the demographic change, the discussion about unfilled vacancies for skilled workers has become relevant again. The report aims to contribute to this discussion with analyses at establishment level. To what extent are establishments having problems with recruitment, and how are establishments dealing with this now and in the future? The focus will be on differences and common factors between the sectors - with special attention this year being paid to personal services and their subdivisions of health and social services, education and training, accommodation and food services, as well as the other personal services. The majority of the establishments did not have any unfilled vacancies for skilled workers in 2011, but the demand for skilled workers as a whole reaches a record level; in most cases, the establishments were also able to cover their demand for skilled workers completely. Most skilled workers were recruited in the area of business services, on the one hand, and personal services, on the other, and especially in the field of health and social services. With the rise in demand for skilled workers, there were more problems in filling vacancies for skilled workers than in the previous year. Particularly serious problems were reported by the finance and insurance sector, the area of business services, the area of information and communication and the area of other personal services. They had to cope with levels of unfilled vacancies of 30 % and more. According to information provided by them, most of the establishments did not expect to have any unfilled vacancies of skilled workers in the near future. Therefore, the discussion about the lack of skilled workers only affects a minority of establishments. In particular, public administration, the manufacturing industry and the subdivision of education and training are expecting to recruit skilled workers in the near future. The sectors that are expected to encounter a particularly high level of problems in filling vacancies include, in particular, the other personal services. The accelerated further training and the accelerated vocational training of skilled workers, and also the creation of attractive working conditions are right at the top of the agenda in almost all sectors as a means of countering the problem of unfilled vacancies of skilled workers. The public administration sector is particularly active in the area of training. The present results indicate, in general, a fairly moderate level of pressure from the problem of unfilled vacancies for skilled workers. Overall, the demand for skilled workers and, consequently, the level of unfilled vacancies for skilled workers rose strongly in 2011. Over time, however, these are parameters that depend largely on the state of the economy." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))
