Recommendations on the skills gap in the German heating transition

In its new factsheet, the Energy Independence Council proposes ways to close the skilled labour gap in the heating sector in Germany.

The council, which is coordinated by the ZOE Institute, is developing a feasible and ambitious strategy to reduce Germany’s dependence on natural gas. One of the topic it engages with is the heating transition.

In order to successfully transition to sustainable heating, the main sectors (heating, ventilation and air conditioning, construction electrics) require additional skilled workers. In these sectors, the skilled labor gap is projected to triple by 2026, from 31,000 to 95,000 employees. Reasons for this development are increasing demand for new heating systems and energy-related renovation, demographic change, decreasing numbers of apprenticeships, brain drain and low share of female employees.

To fill the gap of 95,000 skilled construction workers that will be needed by 2026, the council recommends:
1. To double to number of women working in the heating sector
2. To halve the brain drain to other sectors
3. To double the number of skilled workers from abroad
4. To recruit workers available due to the current dip in the construction sector

Read the Energy Independence Council’s factsheet here [GERMAN].

Find out more about the Council on its website [GERMAN].