Japan-Germany, Country of Automotive Giants Lacks Mechanics
Robots cannot yet completely replace mechanics. Even increasingly automated vehicles require mechanics.
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Workers at the Porsche factory in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, Germany, in February 2019.
Japan and Germany have been known as the origins of various global automotive brands for decades. The availability of mechanics supports that status. As the population ages, both auto giants are starting to have difficulty finding mechanics and other skilled workers.
Reported by Kyodonews on Saturday (April 27, 2024), mechanical difficulties have been felt by BMW and Mitsubishi Fuso. Although remaining a Japanese company, Mitsubishi Fuso has actually become a subsidiary of Daimler Truck. Like BMW, Daimler is a German automotive giant.
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For decades, Fuso has been one of the kings of commercial vehicles in many countries. The automotive industry is supported, among other things, by the availability of mechanics in Japan.
The shortage of skilled workers results in various social problems in Germany and Japan. The automotive industry is in dire straits.
Now, similar to other industries in Japan and Germany, the automotive industry is facing a shortage of mechanics and skilled workers. The cause is that more and more old mechanics are retiring due to their age.
Volkswagen's electric car assembly plant in Zwickau, Germany, in February 2020.
Meanwhile, young people are reluctant to become mechanics or take on other physically demanding jobs. Young people consider being a mechanic to require physical strength and dirty work. This is unlike working in an office, especially in a startup company.
However, many things cannot function without mechanics and people with physical skills. Robots have not been able to fully replace mechanics. Even increasingly automated vehicles still require mechanics.
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In a survey of 160 German companies in Japan, 82 percent admitted to having difficulty finding young skilled workers. Therefore, the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) in Japan is trying to offer a solution. "The shortage of skilled workers produces various social problems in Germany and Japan. The automotive industry is struggling," said Deputy Chairman of Kadin Germany in Japan, Lucas Witoslawski.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) of Germany in Japan is trying to offer a solution to the shortage of mechanics. Their way is to provide training for prospective mechanics for Japanese youths. "Through this program, we hope to be able to assist the industry," said Witoslawski.
Garbage haulers in Frankfurt, Germany, in July 2023.
The German Chamber of Commerce in Japan will provide a three-year training program for young people who want to become mechanics. The training period is two years shorter than usual.
The impact of a worker shortage is clear: economic growth slows as productivity declines.
During the training, participants will continue to attend school while interning at various motor vehicle repair shops and sales outlets. After completion, they are expected to meet qualifications as mechanics and become permanent employees of the automotive company. Qualified participants will also receive a competence certificate recognized by Germany.
Lack of workers
Just like Germany, Japan also lacks skilled labor. According to a study by the Recruit Works Institute, Japan will face a shortage of up to 11 million skilled workers by 2040. Aging is the main cause of this shortage.
A restaurant worker is placing food into an Uber Eats food delivery robot during a media demonstration in Tokyo, Japan on Tuesday (5/3/2024).
The Japanese labor market will remain stable from 2022 to 2040. However, the supply of workers will decrease by 12 percent. This is due to the decreasing number of productive-aged individuals alongside declining birth rates in Japan.
Meanwhile, the German Ministry of Labor estimates that Germany will experience a shortage of seven million workers by 2035. Up to 75 percent of automotive industry suppliers in Germany are experiencing a severe shortage of workers.
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Berlin has started to feel the shortage of skilled workers since 2021. In 2023, the shortage is expected to get worse, with up to 70 percent of companies from various sectors being affected. "The impact of the labor shortage is very clear: economic growth slows down due to decreased productivity," said the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as quoted by Deutsche Welle.
The German digital industry association, ZVEI, said that 40 percent of companies in the sector must compete for skilled workers. The semiconductor industry is the most affected by the shortage of workers.
Workers at the port of Tokyo, Japan, in March 2017.
Berlin is overcoming this shortage through two ways. First, by opening up vocational schools and training programs. Second, by inviting skilled workers from abroad.
There are 320 types of skills provided in the training offered by Berlin. The government collaborates with private companies to provide training for prospective workers or vocational education participants.
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Truck drivers, logistics warehouse managers, and hotel employees are among the professions that are provided with training by the government. Not only is it free, some vocational education programs even provide pocket money for participants.
Participants in the candidate mechanic training provided by Kadin Germany in Japan receive a stipend and education expenses. They also receive dormitory accommodations during the education process.
Workers at the Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (JASM) factory in Kumamoto, Japan, in February 2024.
The problem is that the number of candidates interested in vocational programs is also decreasing. In 2022, there were only 469,000 vocational program participants in Germany, while in 2011 the number was almost 600,000. "It's becoming increasingly difficult to find participants for vocational education," said Sebastian Kautzky, chairman of the German Chemical Industry Association (BAVC).
Foreign workers
Meanwhile, in terms of recruiting foreign workers, Germany continues to simplify requirements. Some jobs no longer require skill equivalence according to German standards.
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People with work experience can immediately work in Germany. If they have competency certificates, it can be even easier to get a job. Furthermore, they do not need to speak German as long as they have the necessary skills required by Germany, then they can work right away.
Indeed, there are age requirements for foreign workers who want to become skilled workers in Germany. Prospective workers must be no more than 35 years old and have at least two years of work experience.
Volkswagen's car assembly plant in Zwickau, Germany, in February 2020.
Researcher from the Institute for Employment Research (IAB), Enzo Weber, stated that currently Germany does not have a shortage of productive-age population. Like Japan and many other countries, Germany is lacking people who are willing to work in sectors requiring physical skills. German youths prefer to work in offices.
Therefore, migrant workers are expected to become the solution. According to IAB, Germany will need migrant workers up to 1.2 million people per year until 2060. If it's less than that, Germany will face a shortage of skilled workers. (AFP/REUTERS)
