Friday March 26th 2021
A year of economy in lockdown
Skilled workers remain in short supply in times of crisis
The pandemic destroyed the life’s work of thousands of entrepreneurs, destroyed and re-created assets on the stock exchanges – among other things. One year after the shutdown began, ntv.de takes stock in the spotlights. Part seven: Companies worry about their offspring.
The pandemic has destroyed the life’s work of thousands of entrepreneurs, destroyed and newly created assets on the stock exchanges, made millions of jobs unsafe and shook Germany’s solid state finances. Amongst other things. One year after the start of the previously unthinkable, a state-ordered shutdown of large parts of the economy, ntv.de takes stock in the spotlights. Episode seven: companies still worry about their offspring.
The previous episodes of “One year of the economy in shutdown”:
- From stock market crash to soaring
- Only a mountain of debt remains of the lifelong dream
- Last hope online shop
- In the waiting “hell” of Corona aid
Corona brings back inflation.
The pandemic throws back the turnaround in traffic
Since the beginning of the pandemic, many companies have had to cope with varying degrees of restrictions and easing. In some industries, however, business has been completely at a standstill for a year. Such is the trade fair industry to which Artlife in Hofheim am Taunus belongs. But although even after a year it is still unclear when trade fairs, congresses and other major events can be held again, managing director Stephan Haida does everything to keep his specialists in the company. “Whenever and however things continue in our industry, we will have to rely on these employees again,” says Haida. Because craftsmen in particular are still in great demand on the job market. “Anyone we lose now will be hard to replace.”
This effort to keep employees in the company despite the crisis is clearly reflected in the labor market data. Contrary to what was feared, even after a year of crisis, mass unemployment has not returned. Many managers see the danger that their companies will not have enough funds after the crisis, financially troubled, to “buy” skilled workers on the market. Without this, however, they will not be able to participate in the expected upswing.
On the one hand, short-time work benefits are decisive for the absence of mass unemployment. On the other hand, the number of short-time work advertisements is still at a historically high level with almost three million employees. In addition, the various aid programs of the state and their own reserves help companies like Artlife to survive. “But it is also clear: All of this alone would not be enough to keep highly qualified craftsmen in the company who are wanted on the job market,” says Haida. After all, his craftsmen wanted to work. “That is why – and in order to compensate for at least part of the total loss of sales from the core business – we have opened up new business areas.” Artlife is now also active in interior design and has developed its own furniture line as well as a home office concept.
Artlife is also currently looking for new trainees in order to be prepared for a new beginning. “The application phase for three to four carpenter apprentices and two event clerks is currently underway,” says Haida. The training of one’s own offspring is so important right now in the crisis.
You can read more about the development of the labor market in the pandemic in the detailed reporting by ntv.de:
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