European weapons manufacturers are seeking skilled labor forces
European Defense Industry Faces Skilled Labor Shortage Amid Boom
Amid a burgeoning European defense industry, spurred by Russia's large-scale attack on Ukraine, companies are struggling to meet the escalating demand for skilled workers. The challenges are manifold, from recruiting a workforce with specialized expertise to attracting talent from other sectors.
Germany's largest defense companies are seeing a surge in orders, particularly KNDS, a Franco-German tank manufacturer aiming to double its annual hires. Gabriel Massoni, KNDS spokesperson, explains the challenge lies in the unique skills required for defense manufacturing, distinct from mass-production automotive techniques. Similarly, Nicolas Chamussy, CEO of KNDS France, cautions against uncontrolled wage increases to maintain competitiveness.
Rheinmetall, another defense powerhouse, is on a hiring spree for product developers, engineers, welders, and electronics technicians. ThyssenKrupp's maritime subsidiary, seeking up to 1500 new employees after acquiring an insolvent shipyard, faces a shortage of experts in natural sciences and technology. Italian defense conglomerate Leonardo echoes the concern, stating that young people prefer other industries.
The search for skilled workers is so intense that Paris-based recruitment agency Headhunting Factory encounters potential candidates who have never had contact with a headhunter. CEO Godefroy Jordan underscores that it's not about money; it's a problem of resource scarcity due to the scarcity of required skills.
Czech defense company PBS Group is taking matters into its own hands by establishing a vocational school to train its employees, according to its managing director, Milan Macholan. The manufacturer of engines for rockets and drones plans to boost wages by up to ten percent by 2025 to attract new personnel.
The struggling automotive industry could potentially benefit from the defense sector's growth, with providers like Hensoldt open to hiring experienced workers accustomed to demand-oriented production. Meanwhile, the Czech munitions and grenade manufacturer STV Group has found a silver lining in the deteriorating automotive industry, now able to choose prospective employees for the first time in a long while.
The EU's push for greater defense policy independence through localized procurement exacerbates the demand for specialized skills, further straining the workforce. The combination of increased demand, skills shortages, and competition from other industries poses significant challenges for European defense companies as they seek to meet the heightened demand for military equipment and services.
[Source: ntv.de, Michael Kahn, Christoph Steitz, and Dominique Patton, Reuters]
Keywords: Arms Industry, Arms, Rheinmetall, ThyssenKrupp, Wars and Conflicts, Russia.
- The escalating demand for skilled workers in the European defense industry, driven by violations like Russia's attack on Ukraine, is pushing companies to employ strategies to recruit specialized workers.
- KNDS, a prominent defense manufacturer, plans to double its annual hires to combat the shortage of workers with unique skills required for defense manufacturing.
- Concerns about maintaining competitiveness in the defense industry have lead companies like KNDS to advise against uncontrolled wage increases.
- In addition to KNDS, Rheinmetall is aggressively hiring product developers, engineers, welders, and electronics technicians to meet its growing demand.
- ThyssenKrupp's maritime subsidiary, targeting up to 1500 new employees after acquiring an insolvent shipyard, finds itself short of experts in natural sciences and technology.
- As the defense industry booms, defense conglomerates such as Leonardo lament the preference of young people for other industries.
- In response to the skilled worker shortage, Paris-based recruitment agency Headhunting Factory encounters a surprising number of candidates who have never interacted with a headhunter, indicating the scarcity of necessary skills.
- To alleviate the skilled worker shortage, defense manufacturers like PBS Group are implementing measures such as establishing vocational schools and offering increased wages to attract new personnel. The shifting landscape in industries like automotive, could potentially present opportunities for defense companies to recruit experienced workers.
