Germany's labor market is facing challenges that will extend over the next two decades. According to Prof. Axel Plünnecke from the German Economic Institute, everything points to an increasing shortage of skilled workers. This shortage affects all sectors, including the fitness and health industry. Against this backdrop, the question arises:
How can we adapt and what strategies are promising?
Recruitment in the fitness industry is in competition with all other sectors, both nationally and globally. Prof. Plünnecke, in an article in Fitness Management magazine (fMI), highlights how crucial it is for managers to make the job market appealing and to ensure the retention of employees. The importance of this appeal becomes particularly clear in the context of the global economic situation. According to a European Commission report, the skills shortage is predicted to persist in the future for both high and low-skilled positions. The Allianz Risk Barometer confirms that recruiting and retaining skilled workers is becoming increasingly difficult. This is backed up by a Manpower Group survey which found that 75% of companies worldwide reported recruitment difficulties last year.
The fitness and health industry is therefore facing the same challenges as other sectors. Sandra Bäuerle from the Pfitzenmeier Group and Stephan Schulan, Managing Director of the BestFit Group, report on the changing demands of applicants and the importance of offering an attractive working environment. The focus here is on flexible working hours, a good work-life balance and the creation of a motivating working environment.
In order to attract and retain young talent, companies rely on various measures. These include high-quality training, personal contacts, further training and an attractive working environment. The BestFit Group, for example, has reduced the working week for trainees to 35 hours with the same pay in order to ensure the quality of work and increase its attractiveness as an employer.
Prof. Simone Kauffeld emphasizes that an attractive employer brand that conveys authenticity and transparency is essential. Flexible working models and consideration of individual needs are in demand. The fitness industry must continuously adapt to increasing qualification requirements and develop training accordingly.
Wages, salaries and traditional working conditions are important, but other factors are increasingly coming to the fore. Identification with the company, a positive corporate culture and development opportunities are becoming increasingly important.
Prof. Kauffeld sees great potential in the fitness industry to attract and retain qualified employees. The industry should promote new ideas, drive forward digitalization and involve employees in the design of their work.
Summary:
In conclusion, Sandra Bäuerle emphasizes how important it is to find people who want to turn their passion into a career or have already done so, because only those who are passionate about their job can do it well in the long term. If this is successful, a balancing act and a strict separation between work and leisure time is not even necessary. And that is probably the formula for success!
Our tip for companies and applicants in the fitness and health industry:
Editorial team fitnessmarkt.de
Image source: #683278082 Anastasiia / stock.adobe.com
Source: FIBO Global Fitness
Published on: 8 February 2024