Photonics industry in Thuringia: 2050 new jobs despite the crisis!

Photonics industry in Thuringia: 2050 new jobs despite the crisis!

The economic situation in Germany is currently anything but rosy, especially for our medium-sized companies. The companies are struggling with a lack of orders, high costs and a bureaucratic jungle that takes away the air they can breathe. North Rhine-Westphalia and Thuringia are no exception, and the uncertainty about the future is noticeable. In Thuringia, the economic mood is currently subdued, but there is encouraging news from the photonics industry: Despite all the challenges, companies in this area are announcing the creation of thousands of new jobs. Looking into the future, a total of 2,050 positions are expected to be filled by the end of 2026. Around 500 of these positions are replacements due to retirement, the rest are fresh positions that are being created to ensure innovative strength.

There are currently a whopping 650 positions open in the photonics industry in Thuringia. These offerings primarily cover research, manufacturing, electronics and IT, showing that this sector remains in high demand. But the job market has its pitfalls: engineers are difficult to find, while the applicant situation in commercial professions looks more positive. Thuringia has proven to be a stable innovation location in the past, which is mainly due to the strong investments in research. These expenses reached a record value of 600 million euros in 2024, as thueringen24.de reports.

Photonics industry on the rise

The photonics industry in Thuringia generates an impressive four billion euros annually, with a clear focus on cities such as Jena and the Saale-Holzland district. Despite the challenges in the general economy, the industry shows its resilience through close links to research. From companies like Jenoptik, which offer internships and apprenticeships in the areas of process automation and optics manufacturing, to specialized companies like Zeiss Microoptics, the sector is diverse and growth-oriented. The company GMBU e.V. is also looking for skilled workers with an annual salary of between 35,000 and 40,000 euros, an attractive offer in times when many employees are looking for new perspectives.

OptoNet, the industry network in Jena, is another driving force for the success of the photonics industry. Anke Siegmeier and Nora Kirsten lead this network, which supports companies in creating synergies along the entire value chain. This flexibility allows companies to serve different markets, which is very important in the current situation. According to IHK Gera, an impressive 72% of the sales of Thuringian photonics companies were generated abroad in 2022, most of them in Western Europe, North America and China. The smaller, regional players also operate internationally and take the region's innovative strength to the next level.

Shortage of skilled workers and future opportunities

However, the shortage of skilled workers is seen as the biggest threat to growth in the industry. Two thirds of the companies surveyed warn of the consequences of this shortage, which is why better STEM education and strategies for attracting international talent are called for. One bright spot: around 80% of companies already employ people with an international background, which shows that they are willing to explore new avenues to expand the talent pool.

If you are curious and would like to find out more about the new developments in the industry, you can browse the Job offers in the field of photonics or become active yourself. The W3+ trade fair, which will take place in Jena on November 29th and 30th, 2023, also offers a perfect platform for companies to present themselves and establish new collaborations. Over 130 companies and partners will showcase their latest products and services, and an accompanying conference will also take place to provide interested professionals with deeper insights into the innovation landscape.

In the midst of these challenges, it is clear: the photonics industry in Thuringia has the potential to grow and assert itself even in difficult times. The outlook for the coming years gives hope for positive developments that will both create jobs and further strengthen the region's innovative strength.