Foreign nationals now account for nearly half of all new trainees in Germany’s hotel and restaurant sector, according to a recent study by the Competence Centre for Securing Skilled Workers (KOFA).
KOFA, a project commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, specialises in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with practical information and strategies for recruiting and retaining skilled workers.
Their latest research reveals that in 2023, more than 44 percent of new training contracts in the hospitality industry were signed by foreign nationals – a figure that has more than quadrupled over the past decade.
International trainees drive growth
The KOFA study identifies the hospitality sector as a pioneer in recruiting trainees from abroad. Of approximately 23,400 training contracts concluded in 2023, foreign nationals made up a significantly higher proportion here than in other sectors.
While foreign nationals made up 44.3 percent of new trainees in hospitality they made up just 10.9 percent across the other training occupations.
As study author Franziska Arndt notes, “International trainees play a crucial role in securing the next generation of talent in the hotel and hospitality industry.”
Several factors contribute to this trend.
The sector has long relied on international employees, making it attractive to foreign applicants.
Additionally, Germany’s dual vocational training system, which combines practical work and classroom instruction, offers a clear pathway for newcomers to gain qualifications and secure employment.
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The growth in international trainees is especially pronounced in restaurant service and chef training, where foreign trainees have been essential to reversing declines.
Without the influx of foreign trainees, the number of new contracts would have dropped by nearly 20 percent since 2019, according to the study.
Labour shortages persist
While the training market in hospitality is currently on the upswing, with the number of new contracts now above pre-pandemic levels, KOFA estimates there was still a shortfall of 2,700 qualified workers in the hotel and hospitality industry in 2024.
The Covid pandemic hit hospitality especially hard, prompting many skilled workers to switch to other professions or industries.
The sector’s difficulties are compounded by high turnover rates, atypical working hours, lower wages, and demanding customer interactions, which make it less attractive to native workers.
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Service quality
The shortage of skilled staff has tangible effects on the quality of service provided by Germany’s hotels and restaurants, according to an earlier study by KOFA.
Two-thirds of vacant positions are for skilled workers with completed vocational training – especially in system catering and hotel management – which means that many businesses are increasingly relying on unskilled labour.
In comments told to Der Spiegel, Mark Baumeister – head of the hospitality department at the Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) – talked about the knock-on effect this can have on customer service.
For example, businesses shorten their opening hours, kitchens are increasingly forced to rely on ready-meals, menus become less varied, and hotels and restaurants cut back on additional support for guests and special events.
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