Thriving Care Sector in Thuringia: Booming Careers While Other Industries Struggle
Thuringia: Nursing Sector Expands Amidst Decline in Jobs in Other Industries - Increase in Care Sector Jobs Corresponds to Decrease in Employment in Other Industries - Thuringia
In the dynamic world of Thuringia, care jobs are thriving while employment in other sectors takes a hit.
This unique scene is a testament to the high demand for care professionals in the region. As per the regional office of the Federal Employment Agency in Halle/Saale, the number of care workers rose by approximately 2,500 since five years ago, reaching a staggering count of around 49,200 in June 2024 [1]. This increase occurred amid an overall employment decrease of 7,600 workers in Thuringia over the same period.
Fast facts about the care workforce here:
- From foreign lands: Around 3,000 care workers hail from abroad.
- Part-time predominance: Almost half of all employees work part-time.
- Aging workforce: One in ten care sector employees is aged 60 or more.
One striking statistic is the gender divide in geriatric and health care professions, where women account for an impressive 84% of the workforce. The director of the regional office, Markus Behrens, believes that the industry must focus on attracting more skilled workers through immigration, increasing full-time positions, and implementing targeted qualification measures to meet the growing demand for qualified care workers [1].
But what about employment gaps in the future? The looming specter of 40% of the current workforce leaving the labor market over the next 15 years [2] raises concerns regarding potential vacancies. The growing demand for labor, driven by demographic development and medical advances, means that trained care workers will be in even higher demand.
As of June 2024, almost 5,200 young people are enrolled in care professional training programs, with more than 1,200 trainees lacking German citizenship [1]. This number has jumped by over 700 compared to five years ago. The International Day of Care, celebrated annually on May 12th, pays tribute to the tireless efforts of care professionals—an indispensable pillar of the healthcare system. This significant date marks the birthday of legendary nurse Florence Nightingale in 1820 [4].
[1] halle-saale.arbeitsagentur.de[2] welt.de[3] nexus-institut.de[4] worldcareday.org
The community policy in Thuringia is prioritizing the expansion of vocational training programs for care professionals, recognizing the booming careers in this sector while others struggle.
Markus Behrens, the director of the regional office, emphasizes the need for immigration, more full-time positions, and targeted qualification measures to address the rising demand for qualified care workers in the region.
With an aging workforce and the looming retirement of 40% of the current care workforce within the next 15 years, the need for trained care workers is expected to surge even further.
To address this potential labor shortage, the regional office is actively increasing enrollment in care professional training programs, with over 700 more trainees than five years ago.
Awareness of the importance of the care workforce is highlighted on the International Day of Care, annually celebrated on May 12th, honoring the tireless efforts of care professionals and recognizing their indispensable role in the healthcare system.
Amid this focus on workforce development, it's crucial to consider the health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, mental-health, and womens-health implications for the insured geriatric population as well as the workforce caring for them, ensuring a sustainable and effective care sector in Thuringia.
