A shortage of skilled workers in the plastic industry: risks and new solutions!

A shortage of skilled workers in the plastic industry: risks and new solutions!

The plastic industry is under pressure: Over 312,000 people are employed in this industry in Germany, but the shortage of skilled workers is increasingly becoming a serious problem. Dr. Oliver Möllenstädt, General Manager of the General Association of Plastic Editing Industry (GKV), illuminates in conversation with Ingenieur.de Already at the beginning of 2025, 66 % of companies reported bottlenecks in the availability of skilled workers.

specific professional profiles are particularly affected. With 79 %, there is a pronounced lack of plastic technologists and plastic technicians, while 65 % of the training positions for these professions also remain vacant. Engineers with a deepening in plastic technology are facing a defect of 26 %. This is not only a problem for companies, but can also endanger the innovative strength of the industry.

In addition to the plastic industry, the shortage of skilled workers reflects the general emergency in the MINT area. According to Nationale Mint-Forum A total of 209,200 specialists in MINT calls. There are 109,100 vacancies on MINT focal worker professions, followed by 77,700 in expert professions and 22,300 in technology and master professions. The bottlenecks not only lie on the plastic industry, but also affect numerous sectors such as energy, machine and vehicle technology as well as IT professions.

No question, small and medium -sized companies are under considerable pressure. The lack of specialists for automation and relocation abroad could lead to these companies in particular. Even if automation can reduce the pressure somewhat, well -trained specialists are still indispensable for many activities. Dr. Möllenstädt emphasizes that dual vocational training in Germany is a location advantage. Companies are increasingly relying on the recruitment of young talents and showing a great commitment, for example by providing company vehicles for trainees without public transport connections.

The skilled worker situation also shows how urgently changes are necessary. Companies express the desire for more public recognition for MINT professions and the challenges that medium-sized companies in particular face. The K 2025 Preview, which took place from June 16 to 18, 2025 at the fair, gathered 80 journalists from 32 countries to illuminate this important topic.

In order to effectively counter the defect, innovative solutions must be found. Statistics employment agency emphasizes that the demographic development together with falling MINT competencies will continue to load the future range of skilled workers. Measures such as a cliché -free professional orientation for women, the improvement of the framework conditions for later retirement, as well as the targeted development of immigration potential are more urgent than ever.

Overall, Germany faces a significant challenge - only through joint efforts from politics, business and education can the shortage of skilled workers be fought sustainably.