The results paint a mixed picture: Despite ongoing challenges in the labor market, 72 percent of the companies surveyed rate Mainz positively as a business location. At the same time, 62 percent of the companies report having open positions at present. About 40 percent feel moderately to severely affected by the shortage of skilled workers.

Companies in the skilled trades, construction, and manufacturing sectors are particularly affected. The companies cite a lack of applicants, rising wage demands, and a shortage of qualifications as the biggest hurdles to filling positions.

At the same time, the survey shows that many companies are already taking active steps to address these challenges. Simplified application processes, social media recruiting, and flexible work schedules are being used particularly frequently. To retain employees in the long term, companies are focusing primarily on flexible work schedules as well as career and development opportunities.

An analysis of the effectiveness of individual measures provides particularly valuable insights. According to the analysis, attracting international skilled workers, AI-supported recruiting processes, and flexible work schedules show the greatest potential for securing a skilled workforce. At the same time, the first two measures in particular have been used only rarely to date.

Manuela Matz, Head of the Economic Affairs Department, explains: “The survey clearly shows that companies in Mainz are actively addressing the challenges posed by the skilled labor shortage and demonstrating a high degree of adaptability. At the same time, the very measures that can make the greatest contribution to securing skilled workers have so far been used too infrequently. We see this as an important starting point for the work of the Economic Development Agency.”

The results of the survey will be incorporated into the Economic Development Agency’s future work. “Our goal is to further develop existing support programs for securing skilled workers in line with actual needs and to strengthen Mainz as a business location in the long term—for example, by more actively engaging international talent or using innovative recruiting methods,” explains Teresa Klug, Head of the Department of Economic and Structural Development.

The complete results of the business survey are available at mainz.de/fachkraeftereport (opens in a new tab).

Contact for inquiries:

• Felix Ruf, Deputy Head of the Economic and Structural Development Department, felix.rufstadt.mainzde
• Lukas Fried, L•Q•M Market Research, lukas.friedl-q-mde