Zeitenwende: Skilled Worker Shortage Hits Germany’s Defence Jobs

Demand for skilled workers is rising How the Zeitenwende Changes the Labour Market in Germany

2026-05-20 From Detlev Karg 6 min Reading Time

Related Vendors

Germany’s "Zeitenwende", as Chancellor Scholz put it in 2022, is not only reshaping the country’s security and defence policy, but increasingly its labour market as well. While the German government and NATO are massively increasing defence spending and industry is expanding production capacity, companies across the security and defence sector are facing ever fiercer competition for skilled workers.

Skilled workers wanted: Production of BOXER drive modules at KNDS’ Munich facility.(Picture: KNDS) — Skilled workers wanted: Production of BOXER drive modules at KNDS’ Munich facility.
(Picture: KNDS)

Companies are searching for engineers, software developers, electronics specialists, AI experts, welders, mechatronics technicians and skilled workers for high-precision manufacturing. The industry is responding with new training pathways, partnerships with universities and a far more aggressive recruitment strategy. Yet the shortage of qualified personnel could become a major bottleneck for Europe’s rearmament efforts.

Please log in or register and read this article. To be able to read this article in full, you must be registered. Free registration gives you access to exclusive specialist information.

Create My Free Account

Already registered? Log in here