Germany requests India’s support in bridging the skilled workforce gap

Mumbai, 4th April 2023: The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Achim Fabig, has requested India’s help in addressing Germany’s shortage of skilled manpower, which stands at 4 lakh workers per year due to an ageing population.

Speaking during a courtesy call to the Governor of Maharashtra, Ramesh Bais, on Monday, Fabig explained that Germany requires nurses, electricians, Solar Utility Technicians, and skilled butchers to fill the void.

He added that a third of Germany’s investment in India goes to Maharashtra, where 300 of Germany’s 800 companies are operating, emphasizing the importance of bridging the gap between Germany’s requirements and India’s vast pool of young workers. Fabig expressed his belief that the migration of skilled labour between India and Germany would benefit both countries.

Fabig, who has previously served as the Consul General of Germany in Chennai, told the Governor that there are currently 35,000 Indian students pursuing higher education in Germany, and many tech professionals from India are working in the country’s IT industry. However, he emphasized that people in both countries need to understand each other’s nations in a modern context despite their long-standing relationship.

Fabig also informed the Governor that the Visa Section of Germany in Mumbai is currently the third-largest in the world and will soon become the largest. He also announced that the German football club Bayern Munich is eager to organize football training camps and tournaments in rural areas of India to promote the game.

Governor Ramesh Bais welcomed the Consul General to Maharashtra, stating that the state had established a Skill University to train a large pool of skilled workers in diverse trades. The skilled workforce from Maharashtra would be beneficial not only for India but also for other countries, he added.