The German defence industry is looking forward to orders worth billions. In order to be able to fulfil the new orders, additional employees need to be hired - including skilled workers. Find out here how you can recruit them for your company in the defence industry despite the shortage of skilled workers!
The boom in the German defence industry
The German defence industry is booming. The EU alone is planning to invest around 800 billion euros in European defence by 2029. Germany's security is to be increased by strengthening and modernising the German armed forces. This is particularly necessary in light of current political and geopolitical developments.
There are several important defence companies in Germany, all of which are now looking for new employees - often also skilled workers. Incidentally, the ten largest defence companies in Germany are Airbus, Rheinmetall, KNDS, MBDA, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Hensoldt, Diehl, Renk, MTU Aero Engines and Heckler & Koch.
Which trades are particularly in demand in the defence industry?
The production of defence equipment is a complex and technologically demanding process. In addition to engineers, technicians and scientists, craftsmen are also required. The most important trades in the defence industry are as follows:
- Welder: are essential for the manufacture of armour, weapon casings and many other products in the defence industry.
- CNC lathe operator: They are needed for the precise production of components used to build military equipment.
- Mechatronics engineer: build and repair complex military systems such as drones.
- Weapons technician: They are responsible for the development and assembly of all types of weapons and the associated ammunition.
- Carpenters and joiners: are needed in the defence industry, e.g. for the interior fittings of vehicles and specialised wooden components.
- Metalworker: take over the construction of metal structures that are used almost everywhere in the defence industry.
The shortage of skilled labour in the defence industry
The shortage of skilled labour in Germany has reached striking proportions. In almost every sector, there are companies that simply cannot fill their vacancies. According to figures from the German Economic Institute (IW), there are a total of over half a million vacancies in Germany. And the defence industry is also facing the major challenge of recruiting new employees - especially now that the order books are full and national and European security depends on the fulfilment of these orders.
The impact of the skills shortage on the defence industry could be severe. If German defence companies are unable to recruit enough new employees, this could become a problem with geopolitical implications.
So what strategies are there to combat the shortage of skilled labour in the defence sector? How are German companies in the defence industry trying to attract new, qualified employees despite the shortage of personnel?
How can temporary work counteract the shortage of skilled labour?
The simplest solution is probably temporary work (also known as personnel leasing or employee leasing). With temporary work, companies borrow employees from another company for a certain period of time.
Global Business Recruiting has specialised in temporary staffing - especially from Eastern Europe - for over 30 years. We find and place qualified temporary workers from countries such as Poland, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Balkan states, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, Slovakia and more.
Polish temporary workers are particularly interesting in this context, considering Poland's important role in the European defence industry. In addition, Polish temporary workers often have a very good command of German and are ready for immediate deployment.
We have many years of experience in personnel leasing in safety-critical areas such as the defence industry. In order to safely overcome all legal and regulatory hurdles, it is advisable to work with an experienced, reliable partner. And that is exactly what we have been for over 30 years.
Overall, personnel leasing is an excellent solution to the shortage of skilled labour in the defence industry. Of course, personnel leasing or temporary work does not only work in the defence industry, but in all other industries as well.
Special legal features of temporary work in the defence industry
The use of temporary workers in the defence industry is subject to special legal requirements. In addition to the general provisions of the German Temporary Employment Act (AÜG), export control regulations must also be observed: Certain positions may only be filled by persons with German citizenship or an appropriate security status. More on the legal basis of temporary employment: Temporary employment vs. subcontracting.
In addition, all provisions of the Posted Workers Act must be complied with when posting Eastern European skilled workers - in particular minimum wage, working hours and the A1 certificate.
Frequently asked questions about skilled trades in the defence industry
Welders are indispensable in the defence industry as they are responsible for the manufacture of armour, weapon casings, vehicle frames and structural parts. The demands are high: precision, knowledge of various welding processes (MAG, TIG, electrode) and often a willingness to undergo safety checks are required.
This depends on the area of application. Anyone working directly on safety-relevant systems or in restricted areas generally requires a safety inspection in accordance with the German Safety Inspection Act (SÜG). This is not always necessary for general manual activities in production halls.
Yes, in principle EU citizens can work in the German defence industry. There are restrictions for security-related positions that require German citizenship or a certain residence status. Global Business Recruiting will advise you on the specific requirements for your vacancies.
For standard positions such as welders, metalworkers or CNC lathe operators, we can usually provide skilled labour ready for deployment within a week. All employees have the necessary qualifications, speak German and are familiar with German safety standards.
Poland is particularly interesting due to its own strong defence industry and the high level of qualification of its skilled workers. Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Romania are also home to many well-trained craftsmen with experience in metalworking who can be quickly integrated into German defence projects.
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