Shortage of skilled workers in the public sector: red alert for digitalization!

Shortage of skilled workers in the public sector: red alert for digitalization!

At a time when the digitalization of public administration is becoming a priority, we are faced with a huge shortage of skilled workers in Germany. The federal government has great hopes for modernizing the state, particularly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). But like the initiative of staatklar.org shows, the acute shortage of IT specialists could seriously endanger these projects.

Many experienced employees are currently leaving the administration, while there is a shortage of around 550,000 skilled workers in public administrations - and this trend is increasing. Especially in tax and local governments, the use of generative AI could help close the gap of up to 165,000 full-time employees, as highlighted by a study by McKinsey & Company haufe.de was published. Interestingly, it turns out that currently only around 20% of tasks requiring complex specialist knowledge have potential for automation - with the targeted use of AI, this figure could rise to 55%.

The role of IT specialists

Administrative digitalization requires a deep understanding of administrative processes. Morris Hültner, project manager in a federal agency, emphasizes the need to train specialists with combined expertise in IT and administration. This is crucial to driving automation and efficiency in the public sector. Security agencies are particularly in focus as they have to overcome the challenge of keeping up with professional cybercrime. The 2024 police crime statistics will document such challenges and, for the first time, also depict crimes committed in other countries.

In the past, the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district had to declare a disaster in 2021 due to a cyber attack. The clearance rate for digital crimes also remains disastrously low at just 5.1 percent. It is therefore essential to bring the administration's IT up to speed and train it professionally. dbb jugend not only demands more flexibility in career law, but also more competitive pay in order to attract the best minds to the public sector. Promoting a start-up culture in the public service plays a crucial role, as Hültner suggests.

Opportunities through artificial intelligence

The possibilities of artificial intelligence in public administration are promising. The full range extends from chatbots, which could handle up to 50% of citizen queries, to complex background management and identity management applications that significantly increase efficiency. This was also shown by the study by Fraunhofer IAO, which provides concrete recommendations for the integration of AI into local administration. Under the title “Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration”, the study highlights the relevance of digitalization, which was discussed in workshops with ten municipalities and regional associations. The strengths and weaknesses of existing procedures were analyzed and scenarios for future administration were presented.

A mixed model that leverages both human and artificial intelligence could provide the optimal solution to management challenges. At a time when digital transformation is unavoidable, it is important to be proactive about this process and create the conditions for success.

With a uniform plan to promote IT specialists and the strategic use of artificial intelligence, the public service could not only respond to the challenges, but also actively contribute to the solution. So nothing stands in the way of the Germany of tomorrow.