Terms such as cost-cutting, restructuring and job cuts have dominated the headlines in recent years. Many people have the feeling that opportunities on the job market are getting smaller and smaller. But this picture is only half the truth. In reality, new job opportunities are being created in Germany right now - often in areas that are essential for social coexistence.
On March 4, 2025, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung ran the headline: "Where there are still jobs" (Kühne, 2025). The key message: while jobs are disappearing in some sectors, others are urgently looking for workers. What's more, many employers are open to career changers who are keen to explore new avenues.
Health and social services: the backbone of society
Few sectors illustrate the shortage of skilled workers as drastically as nursing, childcare and social work. There is already a shortage of hundreds of thousands of skilled workers nationwide - and the trend is rising. The German Economic Institute (IW) found that there would be a shortage of over 530,000 qualified workers in 2023 alone, particularly in the so-called systemically important professions (Tiedemann, Kunath & Werner, 2023).
IT, technology and engineering: digital engine with a personnel gap
Digitalization is also generating huge demand. According to Bitkom, around 149,000 IT positions were unfilled in 2023 - a historic high (Bitkom, 2023). Although the number had fallen slightly by August 2025 to around 109,000 missing IT specialists, 85% of companies state that they are still severely affected by the shortage (Bitkom, 2025).
There are also technical professions in engineering, the energy industry and the skilled trades. The energy transition in particular is creating new jobs - from solar technician to wind power engineer (Kühne, 2025).
A look into the future: the gap is growing
The challenge will become even more acute. According to calculations by the IW, the skills gap could grow to 768,000 unfilled positions by 2028 - affecting sales, education, social work and nursing in particular (IW, 2023; Welt, 2023). These figures clearly show that it is not enough to bridge the situation in the short term. Germany must develop long-term solutions.
Causes: Demographics and structural problems
Demographic change remains the main driver: more and more older people are retiring, while at the same time fewer young skilled workers are coming into the workforce (Peichl et al., 2025). In addition, there are structural deficits: too few young people in STEM subjects, too little appreciation for skilled trades and care professions and an often sluggish further training landscape (Tiedemann et al., 2023).
Opportunities for career changers
Exciting for all professionals in transition: many companies are expressly looking for career changers. In the care sector or in the skilled trades, retraining is a common model that opens up new perspectives for people. IT boot camps, in-service training or dual study programs also facilitate access (Kühne, 2025).
Conclusion: A labor market full of contrasts - and opportunities
Yes, there are job cuts. But at the same time, new opportunities are emerging - in precisely those areas that our society urgently needs. Those who are open to further training and willing to explore new avenues will have good opportunities in the coming years.
For companies, this means rethinking: instead of just looking for traditional CVs, motivation, willingness to learn and flexibility are becoming crucial (Bitkom, 2025; Peichl et al., 2025).
Applicants should therefore take a look at sectors such as care, IT, skilled trades or education - not only do they offer secure jobs, but also meaningful tasks.
Literature
- Bitkom. (2023). Skills shortage in IT reaches record level. Bitkom e.V.
- Bitkom. (2025). Germany lacks IT specialists. Bitkom e.V. Retrieved from https://www.bitkom.org/Presse/Presseinformation/Deutschland-fehlen-IT-Fachkraefte
-Kühne, A. S. (2025, March 4). Where there are still jobs now. Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. Retrieved from https://www.faz.net/aktuell/karriere-hochschule/buero-co/wo-es-jetzt-noch-jobs-gibt-110327113.html
- Peichl, A., et al. (2025). ifo Schnelldienst 3/2025: Arbeits- und Fachkräftemangel. ifo Institute - Leibniz Institute for Economic Research at the University of Munich e. V.
- Tiedemann, J., Kunath, G., & Werner, D. (2023). Urgently needed: Most skilled workers are currently lacking in these professions. Cologne Institute for Economic Research.
- World. (2023, April 27). Skills gap will grow rapidly - 768,000 jobs affected. Die Welt.
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