By Glen Barclay
Photo: Glen Barclay, A building site in Katrinbjerg
The thought of long days filled with manual labour, waking early and returning home late, working in all manner of conditions possibly intimidates many when they come to choose their career path. However, in terms of happiness it has long been a fact that those working with their hands enjoy a greater sense of accomplishment than their counterparts plying their trade in office blocks.
The ongoing development of student accommodation in the Katrinebjerg region of Aarhus is one of many major constructions projects taking part within the city with almost all companies involved working with stretched resource.
Falling well below the European average for skilled workers, it is the shortage of electricians that Aarhus in particular is feeling most. The national industry has declined by 4.7% as reported by industry analysts IBIS World which is pushing many companies to breaking point as they are forced into construction contracts to keep afloat post pandemic.
Claudia Ferrarese, the head of communications and recruitment for Mariendal electrics shares the worries posted by the DAIRI, “we have more and more projects and not enough skilled electricians to complete them.”
Photo: Glen Barclay, Mariendal Electrics operate in and around Aarhus
“The main problem is the jobs market, those who are skilled enough are already employed,” she said, suggesting that more must be done to encourage school leavers to explore their career prospects; “we do tend to look for experienced electricians because people fresh out of trade school require more training but perhaps we will have to lower our expectations,” she added.
But if the increase in skilled workers is not forthcoming then businesses like Mariendal risk being swallowed up by major companies who can afford to pay well above average rates therefore limiting opportunities for many within the building industry.
The need for skilled tradespeople underpins the most important areas of improving and expanding infrastructure, providing the foundations for making lives better.
Photo: Glen Barclay, Electrical instal happening in an Aarhus new build
Carpenters, builders, plumbers and electricians make up but a proportion of industry’s in need of expanded work force with the Agency of International recruitment and Integration welcoming those from abroad who can fill the vacant positions.
The expanding areas and newly built suburbs of Aarhus provide not just accommodation and community but also guaranteed work for those involved in construction making a career in skilled work a welcoming prospect for immigrants.
If the government’s current plans come to fruition then by 2026 Denmark will have overtaken the European average for workers in the industry at 4.1% in country opposed to the further decline of Europe at 1.5% but for now the industry is stretched to its limits.
