German Manufacturers Sound Alarm as 72% Struggle to Recruit Electrical Talent
Published on 07/22/2026 at 15:05 | Redaktion boerse-global.de
A staggering 72% of manufacturers worldwide cannot find qualified electrical specialists, according to Manpower’s “Global Manufacturing World of Work Outlook 2026.” The shortage hits Germany’s industrial sector especially hard, with 93% of companies anticipating major shifts from robotics and smart manufacturing—yet 60% of production workers have received no skills training in the past six months.
The bottleneck is driving renewed interest in a targeted qualification known as the “Elektrofachkraft für festgelegte Tätigkeiten” (EFKffT), or electrical specialist for defined tasks. This supplementary certification lets workers from other technical trades legally perform specific electrical work, offering a faster route to filling critical gaps.
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Hybrid Training Models Emerge
Starting September 2026, the DGWZ will launch a new EFKffT seminar blending five days of online theory with five days of in-person practical training. The first theory sessions run from September 14 to 18, 2026, with a second round in February 2027. Hands-on modules follow in spring and summer 2027 at locations in Essen and Mannheim.
Craft chambers are also stepping up. The Handwerkskammer (HWK) Oberfranken will run a specialized course in Hof in September 2026 for workers in the sanitation, heating, and climate (SHK) sector. Meanwhile, HWK OWL is pouring roughly 7.6 million euros into modernizing workshops at its Campus Handwerk in Bielefeld, with 2.6 million euros—the largest single allocation—earmarked for electrical engineering.
Photovoltaics and Safety Modules Gain Traction
For workers already certified as EFKffT, demand is rising for specialized add-on modules. The DEKRA Akademie will offer a two-day photovoltaic supplement in Stuttgart in December 2027, covering theory and hands-on exercises with solar arrays.
Safety training is also evolving to match updated standards. UDS Beratung now runs online courses on the expert knowledge required for voice alarm systems, based on the revised DIN VDE 0833-4 standard from June 2024. Annual refresher training remains legally mandatory to maintain EFKffT certification, with the bfw Berlin offering one-day update sessions.
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Digital Tools and Smart Meter Push
Communication requirements for controllable energy devices—such as heat pumps and photovoltaic systems—are growing more complex. The EEBus Initiative, together with the ZVEH, has released a beta version of a new tool for tradespeople designed to simplify testing of communication links. The final version is slated for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The electrical trade is also pressing for a stronger role in installing intelligent metering technology. The ZVEH is calling for an accelerated smart-meter rollout by 2030 but rejects simplified “light” solutions that could compromise quality.
Career Paths and Salary Ranges
The EFKffT qualification opens clear career avenues. Current job postings for field service technicians in the Frankfurt am Main area list the certification as a direct alternative to a traditional electrical apprenticeship. Salaries range from roughly 40,000 to 55,000 euros per year.
For master craftspeople and engineers, the role of the “verantwortliche Elektrofachkraft” (VEFK) under DGUV Regulation 3 is gaining attention. Seminars on assuming these employer responsibilities are scheduled for autumn 2027 in Leipzig.
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