Creating living space together: Wertheim's key to combating the shortage of skilled workers!

Creating living space together: Wertheim's key to combating the shortage of skilled workers!

The fourth working group meeting of the skilled workers initiative “Jobmotor 2028” took place in Wertheim on November 7, 2025. This was about the joint creation of living space for workers and skilled workers. 28 representatives from various sectors such as industry, trade, health, crafts and services took part in this fruitful exchange. Jürgen Strahlheim, the economic development officer for the city of Wertheim, warmly welcomed the participants and introduced a constructive day.

As part of the meeting, WEETECH GmbH gave a keynote speech. Isabell Staubitz and Patrick Zwerger reported on important approaches to integrating foreign trainees. This made it clear how crucial language training, individual support and joint activities are in order to successfully integrate new employees into the company.

Need for housing for skilled workers

A central topic was the presentation by Ulrike Müller, who presented the results of a company survey on housing creation. Of the 14 companies surveyed, six agreed to actively work on a housing project. There is a significant need for around 28 apartments over the next three to five years, particularly for trainees and young skilled workers. The companies stated that smaller, furnished residential units with basic amenities and good transport connections are in demand.

Another result of the discussion was the preference for forms of participation such as sublease, occupancy rights or investments in joint projects. Lawyer Judith Prokopp then spoke about the legal aspects that must be taken into account when implementing such communal housing projects, which met with great interest from the participants.

Challenges in the housing market

The issue of housing shortages is not new and has also become increasingly important in other cities. In many German cities, housing costs have risen sharply in recent years, meaning qualified workers often have difficulty finding affordable accommodation. According to the German Institute, four out of five companies have identified the lack of housing as a key reason for their difficulties in recruiting skilled workers. Sectors such as crafts and retail are particularly affected.

Economists warn that this shortage could have long-term negative effects on the entire economy. In cities like Hamburg, where almost 180 positions are unfilled, active attempts are being made to recruit suitable employees from abroad. However, this also requires a solution to the housing problem. The Hamburg port works, for example, are planning to purchase their own residential buildings for their employees. These efforts could result in the creation of up to 2,500 new homes by 2030.

The debate about housing remains a major challenge in the coming years. There is an increasing demand for companies to take responsibility and actively provide housing, especially when opening new locations. Politicians are also called upon to facilitate the framework conditions for the creation of new housing options.

The next working group meeting is planned for February 2026. There will be another keynote speech and the presentation of the “Integreat app” on the topic of the integration process of foreign skilled workers on the agenda.

Further information can be found on the city of Wertheim's homepage Wertheim.de and for a deeper insight into the topic deutschesinstitut.it.