International dropouts: New opportunities in Würzburg-Schweinfurt!

International dropouts: New opportunities in Würzburg-Schweinfurt!

The shortage of skilled workers is becoming increasingly noticeable beyond the borders - especially in Germany. At a time when numerous training positions remain unfilled, a new project from the Würzburg-Schweinfurt University of Applied Sciences (THWS) shows innovative ways to network international dropouts with regional companies. The CraftTURN project aims to create new career prospects for students and at the same time reduce the shortage of skilled workers. How Radio gong reports, CraftTURN offers small and medium-sized companies in particular the opportunity to benefit from qualified international young talent.

It looks like foreign students in particular often have to struggle with language barriers, which leads to high dropout rates. According to the THWS, the proportion of foreign students at the university is almost 30 percent. In addition, over 1,100 technical training positions remained unfilled in the Schweinfurt area last year. In this context, CraftTURN provides valuable information about alternative training paths and supports the integration of those affected into the labor market.

The situation of international students

But what is the perspective of these international students? A current survey shows that every second international student plans to stay in Germany long-term. This opens up new opportunities, not only for those affected themselves, but also for companies that are desperately looking for skilled workers. The Mirror highlights how important the integration of these students is for Germany's economic future.

With a medium-term forecast for the years 2024 to 2028, the skilled labor monitoring of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs (BMAS) analyzes labor market flows and identifies unused potential among women, non-Germans and older job seekers. Geopolitical factors, digitalization and demographic change should be taken into account here. Here, too, it can be observed that the number of people in employment is falling, while immigration and greater propensity to work are not enough to close the gaps. These developments make it clear that a strategic realignment of the economic structure is necessary in order to actively combat the shortage of skilled workers.

A look into the future

Another aspect that cannot be ignored are the structural challenges in the various sectors. While jobs are being cut in the chemical and automotive industries, new job opportunities are emerging in the semiconductor industry. This shows that the labor market is subject to constant change. Also BMAS states that labor market fit problems could increase in the coming years, especially in structurally weak regions.

In conclusion, it is clear that the shortage of skilled workers is a complex challenge that requires various actors in society. The CraftTURN project offers an innovative approach to harnessing the potential of international students while meeting the needs of the regional economy. It is important to look forward and create new perspectives that benefit both students and companies.