In order to achieve the climate protection targets agreed in Paris, the decarbonization of the energy sector is particularly necessary – the so-called energy transition away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy sources. The German government has therefore set itself the target of 80% renewable energies in the electricity mix alone by 2030 – Germany even wants to be CO2-neutral by 2045. The associated ambitious expansion of solar energy, wind energy and other renewable energy sources is already encountering a shortage of labor, especially in the skilled trades.
Proportion of women in skilled trades is less than ten percent
The target groups for vacancies are both academically and professionally trained specialists and experts as well as workers without professional training who can provide assistance and support. These are, for example, international (skilled) workers with a residence permit, such as refugees or asylum seekers with or without professional and university qualifications recognized in Germany. Another target group is women. The proportion of women in skilled trades, which make up a large part of the expertise required in the energy transition, is less than ten percent. The high demand is reinforced by many skilled workers and Experts who will be retiring. Not only are workers lost here, but also a lot of knowledge.
Involving students in the energy transition during their studies
One possible approach in this case could be to retain or reintegrate expertise, for example through retirees, who can also reduce the shortage of trainers. The unemployed also remain an important target group, but there is often a lack of suitable qualifications for vacancies. Equally important is the recruitment of future (specialist) employees. This can also be done in conjunction with the short-term acquisition of young workers, for example by volunteers as part of a voluntary social or ecological year. There is also the opportunity to involve students in the energy transition during their studies. However, the funding initiative is also aimed at projects that involve people with mild mental disabilities, those who are being reintegrated after illness, a stroke of fate or imprisonment, school-age young people who can no longer attend school and other people who are otherwise not or only very poorly reached in the implementation of the energy transition.
Support in the energy transition labor market
Against this backdrop, the DBU is initially focusing on support in the energy transition labor market as part of the “Qualification for the Great Transformation” funding initiative. In the construction sector, this also applies to efficiency and renovation measures. The aim of the initiative is to generate funding projects for the accelerated expansion of renewable energies and energy efficiency measures that focus on reducing the shortage of (skilled) workers and developing concrete solutions. The DBU wants to help find additional workers for the energy transition and support exemplary innovative qualification formats.