The German skilled trades industry is lacking skilled workers. There are more than 250,000 unfilled positions nationwide, and the number is rising. Private construction projects are suffering as a result, as are buildings and renovations by towns and municipalities. Delays and higher costs are the result. This documentary asks: Why are so few young people interested in the skilled trades and what needs to happen to change that? "Two colleagues have called in sick," says Robert Solle in the morning meeting. "We have to re-plan everything for today." The 55-year-old runs a roofing company in Essen with 15 employees. "But we could actually have five more employees," says Robert Solle. The problem: He cannot find anyone who can do the job well. Young people in particular are lacking. Two thirds of his workforce are over 55 years old. And very few roofers last until they are 65. We accompanied the Solle family to their company and experienced what the shortage of skilled workers means at the grassroots level. At the same time, the film uses exclusive data to show how serious the shortage of skilled workers in the trades is and what effects this has. Marleen Solle (25) is also a roofer in her father's company and wants to get the shortage of skilled workers for the family business under control. On Instagram, she posts videos, talks about her work and fights against the dusty image of the industry. "Many people think that if you want to make it in the roofing trade, you have to be tough," she says. A distorted image that applies to the entire construction industry and deters women in particular. Just 6.7 percent of the apprentices who passed the journeyman's examination in NRW in 2022 are female. More women could therefore be a solution for the Solle company, perhaps foreign skilled workers. Technology that makes work easier, more attractive working hours or a four-day week could also attract new employees. Marleen has lots of ideas, but she doesn't always agree with her father. ???? If you liked this video, give us a like! ______ ???? A film for The Story by Fritz Sprengart. This film was produced in 2023. All statements and facts correspond to the status at that time and have not been updated since then. ______ ⚒️ The results of the survey on the shortage of craftsmen in NRW can be found here: https://www1.wdr.de/nachrichten/data/... ______ ???? More documentaries in the ARD Mediathek: https://1.ard.de/yt_doku?yt=d More documentaries on the topic: ???? Child in your arms, hammer in your hand: Extreme house building - • Child in your arms, hammer in your hand:... ???? Why doesn't anyone want to work here? - • 1000 lakes, no staff: How the sea... ???? The first job - How life changes - • The first job - How life changes... ???? Looking for a job with Down syndrome - • Looking for a job with Down syndrome Marie wants... ???? Fits, wobbles and has air Documentary series about apprentices in the trades - https://1.ard.de/pwuhl_alle_Folgen ______ #Crafts #SkillsLack #WDRDoku #Craftsman #Craftswoman