German investors are struggling to hire qualified staff in Slovakia, according to Guido Glania, the head of Slovak-German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DSIHK). Investors hope that by implementing an apprenticeship program modeled after the German dual system could help alleviate the main hurdle of doing business in Slovakia. The automotive industry has been hit the hardest with staff shortages, despite the fact that qualified and cheap technical labor was historically Slovakia’s strongest selling point. However, DSIHK research among German investors indicates that Slovakia has lost its main competitive advantage. Glania says poaching staff among businesses is not to blame. The problem stems from an underdeveloped apprenticeship program, leading to a shortage of young technical workers.
