Developing Strategies to Reduce the Shortage of Skilled Labour, using Skilled Workers in the Mining Industry as an Example

Authors: Dipl.-Ing. Toni Schmidt, TS BAU GmbH, Mülheim an der Ruhr/Germany
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Carsten Drebenstedt, TU Bergakademie Freiberg, Freiberg/Germany
DOI: 10.66356/mrg.2026.04.05.ENDSRSS

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Supplying the economy with qualified skilled workers is a fundamental prerequisite for maintaining Germany’s position as a business location and ensuring stable economic growth to safeguard prosperity in the coming decades. A shortage of skilled workers has existed for several years, particularly at the level of skilled tradespeople, and this is set to intensify further in the coming years as a result of demographic change. One way of tackling the skills shortage is to minimise mismatches. To this end, a user model has been developed and validated using scientific methods. On the one hand, this model can be used directly by companies to develop strategies for securing their own supply of skilled workers. On the other hand, the model is used to derive recommendations for action for the individual partners in the dual vocational training system. The article is based on the authors’ presentation at the “MiningForum 2026”, held in Berlin/­Germany from 18th to 19th June 2026.