Main Reasons for the Shortage of Welders in the Czech Republic and the Rest of Europe

The shortage of welders is part of a broader skilled labor crisis in Europe, driven by demographic, economic, and social factors. Below is a list of the primary reasons, based on available data and reports. These apply generally across Europe, with specific notes on the Czech Republic where relevant.

1. Aging Workforce and Retirements: A large portion of experienced welders are reaching retirement age without sufficient younger replacements entering the field. In Europe, the average age of welders is rising, with many expected to retire soon— for instance, over 157,000 welders in Europe are approaching retirement. In the Czech Republic, the strong generation of older skilled workers has retired, exacerbating the shortage in trades like welding.
2. Demographic Changes and Low Birth Rates: Europe's working-age population is shrinking due to low fertility rates (e.g., 1.7 children per woman in the Czech Republic) and fewer secondary school graduates over the past decades. This has led to fewer potential entrants into vocational training, with the Czech Republic seeing a 20-year decline in secondary school students due to these trends.
3. Skills Mismatch and Underinvestment in Training: There is a gap between the skills jobseekers have and what employers need, compounded by underinvestment in education and training programs. In the Czech Republic, this affects welders specifically, with companies now investing in their own training facilities to address the issue.
4. Increasing Industrial Demand: Rapid growth in sectors like manufacturing, construction, automotive, shipbuilding, and infrastructure has heightened the need for welders. Europe faces a shortage of around 300,000 qualified welders, with high demand in countries like Germany. Similar pressures exist in the Czech Republic amid industrial expansion.
5. Disinterest in Vocational Trades and Career Perceptions: Younger generations often prefer university degrees or tech/service-oriented jobs over trades, due to misconceptions about welding (e.g., low pay or limited opportunities) and the elimination of industrial arts courses in schools. In the Czech Republic, public disinterest in vocational schools has grown since the early 2000s.
6. Economic Disruptions and Broader Labor Market Issues: Factors like deindustrialization, overseas manufacturing shifts, and post-pandemic effects have worsened the shortage in metal and steel sectors across Europe. In the Czech Republic, this ties into overall staff shortages despite rising wages and visa efforts.