all projects

Analysis of the supply and demand of skilled workers

Ecological transformation and dual education in Bremen

Client

Bremen Chamber of Employees

Year

2021


The State of Bremen wants to significantly strengthen its climate protection. The inquiry commission set up by the citizens of Bremen is therefore working on a climate protection strategy. Many measures will need to be implemented on the ground for objectives to be achieved and this will also require well-trained specialist personnel. Will the employees trained in companies in the State of Bremen be sufficient to meet this demand? And which fields of action can help to alleviate possible bottlenecks? Prognos examined these questions on behalf of the Bremen Chamber of Workers as a permanent guest on the inquiry commission.

Bremen lacks junior specialists for the implementation of climate protection measures

The study authors identified 26 key occupations for the implementation of climate protection goals. These are all closely linked to the industrial, energy, buildings, and transport sectors. Professions associated with advancing digitalisation also play an important role in this.

“In almost all of these key occupations, a further intensification of the already existing skilled-worker shortage is to be expected,” emphasises Markus Hoch, the study project manager.

In order to implement the measures aimed at achieving climate goals, up to 8.5 percent more skilled workers and specialists will be required in these key professions.

However, in most cases, the future demand for skilled workers and specialists required cannot be met by the junior staff trained in companies in the State of Bremen. The result is a clear shortage of skilled workers in key occupations.

Potential fields of action to counteract skills shortages in key occupations

The authors of the study identify possible fields of action to address the potentially emerging skills shortages with the help of suitable measures:

  • increasing the willingness of companies to train
  • strengthening professional orientation
  • specifically addressing women
  • facilitating occupational mobility
  • enabling retraining
  • promoting energy and environmental skills

The study (Bremen Chamber of Employees website, in German)

Authors: Markus Hoch, Claudia Münch, Sven Kreidelmeyer, Philipp Kreuzer, Tamara Rech, Eva Willer

Do you have questions?

Your contact at Prognos

Markus Hoch

Senior Project Manager

View profile

Claudia Münch

Principal

View profile

Our work on this topic

Take a look at our latest projects and activities.

Harnessing Talent Platform: Technical support in progress

2024
| Project update

The Harnessing Talent Platform supports selected regions within the EU that are particularly affected by demographic change and the brain drain. The technical support that Prognos is providing in some regions has now been launched with kick-off meetings.

Support for the Just Transition Platform

2024
| Project

Through the Just Transition Platform (JTP), the EU supports the member states and regions in achieving their climate targets in a fair manner. Prognos provided the JTP with in-depth analyses and knowledge management.

The invisible value of care work

2024
| Expertise

72 billion hours: That is how many unpaid care work hours are performed in Germany, annually, by women. In a new paper, we show the value of unpaid care work and how unevenly it is dis-tributed between men and women.

Official start: Ten regions receive technical assistance from the EU

2023
| Project update

Within the Harnessing Talent Platform, the European Commission has selected ten regions to receive technical assistance for securing skilled workers.

The economic and social situation of the creative professions

ongoing
| Project

In a comprehensive study, Prognos analyses the social and economic situation of freelance and hybrid working creatives. The results will serve as a basis for targeted improvements.

Securing skilled workers with the help of the Harnessing Talent Platform

ongoing
| Project

DG Regio's new platform aims to help EU regions develop strategies to attract talent. Prognos is, among other things, leading the knowledge generation.

Where does Germany's economy really stand?

2023
| Company news

Why it’s time for Germany to take an honest look at itself. A guest commentary in the WirtschaftsWoche by Dr Michael Böhmer.

Pension at 63 – Quo vadis?

2023
| Project

Retiring at 63 is very popular. In 2021 alone, more than 270,000 people took the option of early retirement. These were the findings of our study for the INSM.

In danger: Objectives of the “Ampel-Koalition”

2023
| Project

A short new analysis shows to what extent the shortage of skilled workers threatens the central political projects of the Federal Government.

Just Transition Platform Conference: Carbon-Intensive Regions

| Event

Stakeholders of the European chemical industry exchange on their activities for a just transition towards climate neutrality.

Ecological transformation and the labour market in Schleswig-Holstein

ongoing
| Project

How many specialists will Schleswig-Holstein need to implement its climate protection measures? What are the key professions necessary for successful implementation?

Just Transition Platform: Meeting of the Working Group on Chemicals

| Event

At the meeting of the JTP Working Group on Chemicals, proposals will be discussed to help EU regions with a strong chemical industry make a just transition to climate neutrality.

No generational conflict: Young and old are primarily looking for security.

2022
| Project

Study compares “boomers” and Generation Z: high need for security for young and old alike.

The importance of the German economy for the EU

2022
| Project

Through intensive trade relations with EU states, the German economy is an important driver of economic development in the EU.

Just Transition Platform Meeting: Coal Regions in Transition

| Event

Dr Jan-Philipp Kramer speaks at the fifth Just Transition Platform Meeting.

Rhineland-Palatinate Transformation Agency

ongoing
| Project

The Transformation Agency serves as a signpost for the changing world of work. Prognos puts this into action on behalf of the Ministry for Labour, Social Affairs, Transformation and Digitisation.

Innovation region Central Germany 2040 – Socio-economic perspective

2021
| Project

The population in Central Germany is shrinking, aging, and requires increasing levels of care. However, the industries in focus have leverage – especially in cities.

Das Bildungsgrundeinkommen – ein Instrument der Weiterbildungsfinanzierung

2021
| Project

Das Zentrum Liberale Moderne macht einen Vorschlag, die Weiterbildungsfinanzierung auf neue Grundlagen zu stellen. Prognos hat die Kosten des neuen Instrumentes in einer Studie abgeschätzt.

Industries during the pandemic: The pharmaceutical industry is crisis-resistant

2021
| Project

The study shows that the pharmaceutical industry makes an important contribution to value creation and employment in Germany and stabilised the state of the German economy during the crisis-related slump in 2020.

Jobs in the building sector can cushion pandemic job losses

2021
| Project

The study shows how the high demand for skilled workers in the building sector can mitigate the negative impact of the pandemic on the labour market. The industry is thus contributing to the stabilisation of the labour market and to the success of the energy transition.

General report: Evaluation of the general statutory minimum wage

2020
| Project

On behalf of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, we evaluated the impact of the statutory minimum wage in Germany since its introduction in 2015.

Wage income developments 2025

2020
| Project

If German economic productivity increases, not every individual benefits to the same extent. These are the results of our study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Council of the Working World

ongoing
| Project

Together with the IW Köln and the IAQ, Prognos forms the office for the Council of the Working World.

Work Landscape 2025

2019
| Project

The "Labor Landscape" study series has been providing an overview of the development of labor demand and labor supply in Germany since 2008.

Digital transformation in the workplace of the European Chemicals Sector

2019
| Project

As part of a social partnership project for the ECEG and industriAll European Trade Union, the study examines the effects of innovation and digital transformation on the workplace in the chemical industry on a Europe-wide scale.

Germany Report 2025|2035|2045

2018
| Project

Germany will become more global, more digital, greener and older in the next 30 years. This is shown by Prognos Deutschland Report from 2018/2019.

Strategies to combat the skilled-worker shortage in nursing care

2018
| Project

Which strategies can be used to tackle the shortage of skilled workers in nursing care for the elderly? This question is the subject of a Prognos study commissioned by the Bertelsmann Stiftung.

Attracting and retaining skilled workers in early education

2018
| Project

By the year 2030 there will be a shortage of around 199,000 educators throughout Germany. This is shown by a Prognos study for the Federal Ministry of Family Affairs.

Cost-benefit analysis of family-friendly corporate policy

2010
| Project

The model calculation for selected Swiss companies shows that the immediate positive effects of a family-friendly personnel policy outweigh the costs.

About us

Prognos – Providing Orientation.

Prognos is one of the oldest economic research centres in Europe. Founded at the University of Basel, Prognos experts have been conducting research for a wide range of clients from the public and private sectors since 1959 – politically independent, scientifically sound.

Learn more