The labor market is undergoing a shift, with the spread of Artificial Intelligence (AI) negatively affecting traditional office roles, while skilled trades remain relatively stable in demand. This trend, according to an analysis reported by “Welt am Sonntag” based on the job market researcher’s Index, shows a marked decrease in job openings for clerical and administrative positions. For instance, secretary and office management roles saw a decline of 22 percent, while human resources experienced a 19 percent drop. Conversely, the construction, craft, and environmental sectors saw a much smaller reduction of only 14 percent.
The trend is even clearer when looking at job profiles advertised by industrial companies. Job postings for executive directors are projected to drop by 30 percent by 2025, and for academic professionals by 22 percent; however, the shortage for skilled workers with formal vocational training was only an eight percent decrease.
This analysis is based on a comprehensive review of 197 print media sources, 321 online job boards, the Federal Employment Agency’s portal, and approximately 969,000 corporate websites. The data suggests that occupations involving a high proportion of routine tasks are facing increased pressure, a situation attributed not only to broader economic cycles but also to the deployment of generative AI.
Enzo Weber, research manager at the Institute for Labor Market Research (IAB), notes that “academics are no longer immune”. He cautions that the overall labor climate remains tense, stating, “In the current economic crisis, there are generally few new jobs available”.
Despite these challenges, advocates for the skilled trades view the development as an opportunity. Jörg Dittrich, President of the Federation of German Crafts, argues that while AI assumes more standardized tasks in the office and knowledge sectors, the demand for what AI cannot provide-manual skill, experience, and responsibility-is simultaneously growing.
Friedrich Hubert Esser, President of the Federal Institute for Vocational Education (BIBB), echoes this sentiment, stating that “AI is advancing the craft”. While acknowledging that many young people are reassessing their professional choices and are discovering the stability of manual professions, he urges caution, dismissing the idea that “AI comes and everyone goes into the trades”. Nonetheless, the development strongly highlights the enduring value and security of practical, skilled professions.