Innovative biotechnology sector calls for training and immigration of skilled workers
The current shortage of skilled workers is also felt strongly in the highly innovative biotechnology sector, according to a survey of biotechnology companies conducted by BIO Deutschland ahead of the HR in Life Science & Healthcare Conference. When it comes to the core of biotechnology – scientific research and development (R&D) – everything appears to be more or less in order, but companies described the situation in the technical and marketing areas as increasingly difficult. For instance, a majority of companies surveyed said recruitment in sales and management and technical research and development (R&D) was difficult. The search for laboratory assistants is proving to be even more challenging, with some 70 percent of respondents saying it is hard to find qualified workers. Company leaders are also not optimistic about the next two years, especially in the areas of technical R&D and laboratory assistance. Some 54 percent and 60 percent of respondents, respectively, expect the recruitment situation in these areas to get worse. Only a few respondents expect an improvement across all the surveyed areas. Some 76 percent of responding companies called for improving school and college education in STEM subjects as a means to increase the number of skilled workers, and 68 percent felt that immigration could help close the gap for skilled workers.