The shortage of skilled workers is one of the factors determining the development of the woodworking and wood processing industry. Comprehensive figures showing the actual extent of the shortage in the entire cluster are not yet available.

For the joinery and carpentry trade, Tischler Schreiner Deutschland (TSD) has now determined a mood picture for Germany with a nationwide survey of almost 1,000 member companies.

Nearly 60 percent of the enterprises asked look for reinforcement up-to-date for on the average one open place. Above all journeymen with advanced training (50 percent), master craftsmen (48 %) and journeymen (45 %) are needed.

To fill the vacancies, the companies rely on the employment agency (53 %) as well as social media (56 percent) and their own company website (53 %). About one-third of respondents also use advertising and regional job boards for recruiting. By contrast, less than one-fifth of companies use professional recruitment agencies and online job exchanges.

In order to retain their employees in the long term and ensure a positive working atmosphere, eight out of ten companies invest in good equipment (85 %) and give their employees responsibility (80 %).

Flexible working hours are also a popular measure for three quarters of those surveyed, and as many as 63 percent have integrated regular feedback rounds and employee and team meetings firmly into their operating procedures in order to lift the mood in everyday working life. Financial incentives, such as a company pension scheme, vacation and Christmas bonuses, and pay above the general pay scale, are also an integral part of the corporate strategy in 60 percent or more of the companies.

About the survey

The online survey was directed at 15,000 guild companies in the carpentry and joinery trade in Germany in Q2 2023, of which 1,000 took part.