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Unemployment is rising: engineers in Wolfsburg severely affected!
In Helmstedt, the labor market is showing changes: unemployment rates are rising, engineers are affected, while IT specialists are in demand.
Unemployment is rising: engineers in Wolfsburg severely affected!
The changes on the labor market and in the economy require new strategies and adjustments, and it's not just the automotive industry that is feeling the effects. Loud news38 The unemployment rate in Germany rose to 6.5 percent in May 2025, which meant that 4,456 people were without a job. A particularly worrying trend can be seen among engineers, 137 of whom from Wolfsburg are listed among these unemployed.
The rising number of unemployment is also affecting industries that were previously considered safe. In fact, there was a sharp increase of 95 layoffs in the production of motor vehicles and parts in Wolfsburg between January and May alone. This represents an increase of almost 50 percent compared to the previous year. Ulf Steinmann from the employment agency in Helmstedt speaks of a “negative trend” that extends across various professional groups.
Structural changes and new requirements
Behind these developments are structural changes, particularly in the automotive industry. The VDA study points out that the industry is going through a profound change due to the transformation to electromobility, digitalization and economic policy uncertainties. Forecasts show that around 190,000 jobs could be lost in this industry by 2035. A quarter of these jobs have already been lost since 2019.
In particular, the electrification of the powertrain is leading to a decline in employment in vehicle manufacturing. While some professional groups, such as mechanical engineering and metalworking, are particularly hard hit by job losses, careers in IT and technical development are booming. In fact, IT jobs in the automotive industry have seen an 85 percent increase since 2013.
The search for new talent
In contrast, there is a noticeable difference in the job offer: there are currently almost three job seekers for every 44 open positions in the IT and natural sciences sectors. This is a significant change compared to the previous year, when the ratio was almost even. Positions that do not require special qualifications are more in demand than ever, while highly qualified specialists have to contend with oversupply in some segments.
These developments are not only important for employees, but also pose major challenges for companies. They must adapt to the changed framework conditions in order to maintain their competitiveness. In addition, the high investment sum of 280 billion euros that German car manufacturers are investing in research and development by 2028 brings with it a certain hope for the future.
Overall, it is clear that not only the automotive industry, but also other sectors have to meet the challenges of the market. The road to sustainable and future-proof employment remains rocky and the need for political support is becoming increasingly urgent. This makes it all the more important to set the course well for the future.