Future Hit Prize 2025: Borne's success despite the shortage of skilled workers in Trier!

Future Hit Prize 2025: Borne's success despite the shortage of skilled workers in Trier!

The awarding of the Zukunftstrefferpreis 2025 took place on January 16, 2026 in Trier, where the Borne company was honored for its outstanding performance in the field of further training. Managing HR Director Markus Mittal accepted the award, while prominent representatives from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IHK) and the Employment Agency underlined the positive labor market balance of the greater Trier region. Despite global uncertainties, reported 5four, employment subject to social security contributions remains almost stable at around 179,000 people - only 0.2 percent below the previous year's figure.

The unemployment rate remains constant at 4.4 percent. While there was a slight increase in unemployment among men, long-term unemployment fell. The balance for the craft sector is particularly optimistic, as an almost constant number of training places was maintained here. This stability is seen as a success, especially given that the number of new training contracts at the IHK Trier fell by 6.3 percent.

Skilled labor shortage as a central issue

The shortage of skilled workers will remain one of the most pressing problems for the German economy in 2025. According to the skilled workers report from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), 36 percent of almost 22,000 companies surveyed were unable to fill vacancies because there was a lack of suitable personnel. This is particularly true in small and medium-sized companies, where over 40 percent have difficulty finding suitable employees. Dihk also reports that rising labor and energy costs are further exacerbating the situation.

The number of vacancies for qualified workers in Germany is over 387,000. There are particular bottlenecks in sales professions, in the health sector and in the skilled trades. The pressure on companies is increasing, and many companies expect negative effects from the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in the coming years. Statista notes that the vacancy rate in Germany is 86 percent, which is above the global average of 74 percent. This situation makes it necessary for companies to use all their potential to secure skilled workers.

Ways to secure skilled workers

The industry is calling for clear options for action to combat the shortage of skilled workers. These include a better compatibility of family and work as well as expansive measures for the immigration of workers from abroad. Achim Dercks, deputy managing director of the DIHK, emphasizes that it is important to promote the employment of older people and accelerate the integration of immigrants.

“We have to leverage everyone’s potential,” emphasizes Dercks, pointing out the important role of further training. The federal government has already taken the first steps to give older skilled workers easier access to the labor market. Initiated by active pensions, qualified personnel are intended to be retained in the economy for longer.

In summary, companies can be prepared for the future with a clear strategy for securing skilled workers and by investing in the further training of their employees. The positive award given to the Borne company shows that such an approach embodies not only economic success, but also social responsibility.