Table of contents
- Temporary work in safety-critical areas of the economy
- Skills shortage in the defense industry: a threat to the sector
- Why has temporary work become a successful strategy?
- What are the qualification requirements?
- What role do Eastern European specialists play - especially from Poland?
- What are the challenges of cross-border recruitment?
- Personnel strategy as a competitive factor
- Digitization is changing the requirements for skilled workers
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Temporary work in safety-critical areas of the economy
The defense industry is known for placing higher demands on its personnel than any other. Employees have to take on a special responsibility. No mistakes are allowed in the manufacture, maintenance and development of armaments. After all, the arms industry is not just about economic goals. The arms industry has an international responsibility and is responsible for the sovereignty and security of the country. This is precisely why temporary workers employed in this industry must also meet the highest standards - both professionally and personally.
Temporary work has now made a name for itself in the defense industry with the deployment of external workers. It is known for providing good employees with technical and social skills, thus enabling companies to react flexibly to production peaks, project phases or short-term requirements. In this sector, it is important that employees are trustworthy, reliable and perfectly trained. You can't afford to make mistakes in this area.
What danger does the shortage of skilled workers in the defense industry pose?
There is also currently a shortage of skilled workers in the defense industry. Many experienced employees are gradually retiring. At the same time, there are too few young people to fill this gap. Technical professions are becoming less attractive to school leavers, while at the same time the requirements for qualifications and specialization are increasing. The gap between demand and supply is growing - and at an alarming rate.
The problem is that this is not just an economic problem for companies. Projects are delayed due to the shortage and production chains coming to a standstill. This then leads to bottlenecks in safety-relevant areas. Companies often see the risk that central processes cannot be reliably maintained if there is a lack of qualified employees. This affects not only the defense companies themselves, but also their suppliers.
Why has temporary work become a successful strategy?
It has become important for companies to make use of temporary staffing and personnel leasing to fill staff shortages. On the one hand, of course, this is used to fill short-term bottlenecks, for example to complete projects. But it's also about finding experts for specific tasks. This is important for defense companies in order to be able to work better.
The advantage for companies is that they do not have to enter into long-term commitments with employees. They can deploy them quickly for assignments and projects. Employees, in turn, benefit from varied assignments and gain insights into different areas of the industry.
What are the qualification requirements?
The defense industry is known for having very specific requirements. It is not enough for an employee to have completed vocational training. Companies must ensure that they hire employees who have several years of professional experience in this field. Knowledge of safety-related regulations, industry-specific norms and international standards is just as necessary as a deep understanding of technical contexts.
A electronics technician, who works on military communications technology must be familiar with highly sensitive systems and not only be able to recognize sources of error, but also rectify them quickly. A Welder in tank production must work precisely, under great pressure and in accordance with military production standards. And an IT specialist, who works on software solutions for defense must not allow any security gaps. In all these areas, it is not only technical skill that counts, but also a deep sense of responsibility.
What do security checks look like and what are the basic requirements?
First of all, a company assesses technical skills. In addition, a safety check is also carried out in the defense industry. This is required by law. They serve to protect sensitive information, technologies and systems. The Security Inspection Act forms the legal basis for this and provides for different levels of inspection depending on the type of activity.
On the one hand, the applicant's professional background and personal data are checked. This includes family circumstances, financial stability and possible connections abroad. Anyone who is employed in safety-critical areas must prove that there are no doubts about their reliability. Anyone wishing to work in safety-critical areas must provide clear proof of their reliability. Only those who pass this test will be approved for deployment in such projects.
What role do Eastern European specialists play - especially from Poland?
It is now well known that the Eastern European labor market is helping to close the gap in skilled workers in Germany. Especially Poland is important for the defense industry. The skilled workers there are known for having a good education and being highly motivated at work. In addition, the culture is very similar to that of the Germans. Polish specialists often not only have the necessary technical know-how, but also the willingness to integrate quickly into existing teams.
Many companies work with specialized service providers that focus on recruitment from Poland. These service providers not only handle the recruitment, but also take care of the necessary formalities such as preparation for the language, residence permits and accommodation. This enables a smooth start for the new employees - a win-win situation for everyone involved.
What are the challenges of cross-border recruitment?
However, in addition to the clear advantages, there are also challenges when you use foreign skilled and unskilled workers . The working methods are often different. Legal issues relating to employment contracts and insurance can also make it difficult to get started.
It is therefore important that the service providers are experienced and preferably specialized in the defence industry. They then have employees who meet the requirements.
This requires not only specialist knowledge, but also cultural sensitivity, legal expertise and organizational flair.
How does personnel leasing work in security-related projects?
There are very strict requirements in the areas of weapons production, IT security and system development. Everything must be clearly regulated here, from job descriptions to access regulations. Employees must know exactly what is allowed and what is not. This is the only way to prevent sensitive information from falling into the wrong hands.
This also means that external staff are usually only employed within defined projects and clearly defined areas of responsibility. Close cooperation with internal specialists, regular checks and intensive onboarding are just as much a part of the concept as technical access restrictions or graduated authorizations within digital systems.
How does HR strategy function as a competitive factor?
The defense industry is also an economy that needs to be competitive. Companies need qualified, reliable and motivated employees in order to gain long-term advantages. Salaries play a major role in attracting employees, as do further training, the working environment and development prospects.
What geopolitical developments are there and what is their impact on the labor market?
Current political developments in Europe and around the world are noticeably changing the labor market. The increase in defense spending, new defense contracts and international cooperation are leading to a constantly high demand for specialists. At the same time, new demands are being placed on skills, mobility and flexibility.
Many companies are therefore making targeted investments in their own training facilities, establishing partnerships with educational institutions or developing programs to recruit skilled workers in Eastern Europe. Poland has a special role to play here - not only because of its geographical proximity, but also because of its strong defense industry, which is increasingly working with Western standards and cooperating closely with German companies.
How is digitalization changing the demands on skilled workers?
The defence industry is also facing new challenges as a result of digitalization. It is normal for production processes to become increasingly automated. IT systems are becoming ever more complex and artificial intelligence has long been part of everyday life. Augmented reality is no longer a foreign concept in this area.
As a result, the requirements for the skilled workers needed are also changing. Craftsmen are needed, of course, but also engineers and IT specialists. System architects and data analysts are also desperately sought after. These specialists must not only have technical knowledge, but also be prepared to deal with security-related aspects. This makes recruiting more complex, but also more varied.
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