The number of vacancies in the first half of 2018 increased by 15% compared to the first six months of the previous year, according to a study from the Federal Employers' Association of Personnel Service Providers (BAP) published in personaldienstleister.de.

The BAP Job Navigator examined job market development in the first half of 2018 when compared to the first half of 2017. The study showed that 26% of the job advertisements in the first half of 2018 were published by personnel service companies (staffing firms), this is 16% more than during the same period last year.

Chief Executive of BAP Thomas Hetz, commented, “The current BAP job navigator makes it clear that a shortage of skilled workers, especially personnel service providers, is taking over.” Hetz added that the recruitment market remains “extremely tense and difficult to fill."

The BAP Navigator also found that demand is highest in the craft and trades sector. In the first half of 2018, approximately 680,770 job offers were advertised, an increase of 12% compared to the first half of 2017.

"Considering how difficult it has become in the private sector to find a suitable and qualified craftsman, this observation is hardly surprising," Hetz said.

Demand for technical specialists was nearly as high as for the crafts and trades sector. In the first half of 2018, approximately 617,100 jobs were offered with BAP adding that there were personnel and temporary employment agencies advertised 21% of these jobs.

BAP found the biggest increase was in the transport and logistics sectors (32%) and in the purchasing (procurement) sector (27%). BAP said that recruitment firms played a key role in these figures as they published 39% more jobs in the logistics sector and 35% more jobs in the purchasing sector when compared to the first half of 2017.

Meanwhile, BAP’s report also showed that 19% more jobs were offered to young professionals in the first half of 2018, while experienced professionals had 16% more jobs to choose from compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2018, apprentices had 20% more apprenticeships available to those interested in training. Those looking for an internship were offered almost 18% more in the first half of 2018 than in the first half of 2017.