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August 1, 2024
Skilled Crafts 4.0: The shortage of skilled workers is one of the most prevalent issues in the skilled trades. Companies can address this with targeted digitalization.
More and more craft businesses in Germany are feeling the acute shortage of skilled workers . According to the German Confederation of Skilled Crafts (ZDH) , there are currently around 250.000 vacant positions and over 20.000 unfilled apprenticeships . Therefore, businesses must develop new strategies to create more efficient processes while simultaneously meeting their staffing needs . Targeted digitalization of their operations offers the opportunity to achieve both at the same time.
By consistently digitizing their operations, tradespeople benefit from numerous advantages: Thanks to automation and artificial intelligence, business processes run much faster , for example, so employees spend less time on routine tasks. This not only increases employee satisfaction but also reduces the number of skilled workers needed to complete the same workload with consistent quality. At the same time, the company becomes more attractive to applicants : When employees have the opportunity to use digital solutions and develop their skills in new technologies, skilled workers and trainees often rate a company as a particularly attractive employer. Therefore, HR managers should emphasize in job postings and interviews that digital solutions are used in daily operations, building important future skills while simultaneously reducing the workload for employees.
Furthermore, tradespeople secure the future of their businesses through digitalization measures : On the one hand, customers benefit from noticeably improved services , such as 24/7 online appointment booking systems, chatbots for answering questions, remote monitoring of technical equipment, and faster order processing through automated processes – from the initial quote to invoicing . On the other hand, a high degree of automation frees up employees to focus on their core tasks: Constantly ringing phones and multiple emails for scheduling appointments and customer inquiries become obsolete, as do recurring routine office tasks . Piles of paperwork, searching for files, and lost or forgotten information are also a thing of the past. This not only increases employee satisfaction but also strengthens their loyalty to the company.
Operations management
Operations management
Operations management
If company leaders consciously create an attractive work environment for employees in this way, perhaps even offering additional special benefits, the next step is to make the region's skilled workers aware of these advantages. Digital tools are also ideal for this purpose, allowing them to reach skilled workers and trainees: Social media, YouTube, and Twitch can be used to reach younger , tech-savvy generations who are enthusiastic about a digital environment. To avoid media breaks, company leaders should not insist on printed application documents sent by mail, but rather offer the simplest possible, fully digital application processes.
According to the Central Association of German Skilled Crafts (ZDH), there are currently around 250.000 vacancies and over 20.000 training positions unfilled.
When gradually digitizing your business, it's advisable to have an experienced partner who can provide guidance from the outset . Valuable expertise is offered, for example, by chambers of skilled crafts, central trade associations, the Mittelstand-Digital Zentrum Handwerk (SME Digital Center for Skilled Crafts), or the nationwide network of "Innovation and Technology Officers" (BIT). The free needs analysis offered by " Mittelstand-Digital/Zentrum Handwerk " also provides initial insights into the level of digitization in your own business.
1. Analysis: Examine your business processes and identify areas that can be optimized through digitalization. Assess the current state of technology in your company. If needed, seek out an experienced expert for guidance.
2. Strategy Development: Define clear goals for digitalization. Do you want to achieve increased efficiency, cost reduction, reduced workload for employees, or improved customer service? Create an implementation timeline.
3. Technology selection: Research suitable digital solutions that fit your goals – for example, chatbots, online appointment booking systems, accounting software, CRM systems, or project management tools. Also consider cloud solutions for maximum flexibility and future scalability.
4. Funding opportunities: Find out about government funding programs for digitalization. Take advantage of suitable offers for financial support, for example in the areas of further training and investment.
5. Training: Continuously raise your team's awareness of the benefits of digitalization and train them in the use of new technologies.
6. Implementation: Carry out your digitization measures in several steps so that each employee has enough time to internalize the new processes and develop their own routines.
7. Remote work: Consider remote work models for certain tasks to alleviate the skills shortage and offer employees more flexible working options.
8. Recruitment: Use channels frequented by tech-savvy individuals – such as social media or YouTube – to find staff. When searching for skilled workers and trainees, highlight your company's advanced level of digitalization and the associated benefits for employees.
9. Networking: Exchange ideas with other craft businesses. Visit platforms and associations for best-practice examples.
DHB now also available digitally! Simply click here and register for the digital German Crafts Journal (DHB)!
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