More skilled workers for the green industry

In the green industry, the shortage of skilled workers no longer affects only production, retail, and logistics. Key areas such as IT, cybersecurity, digitalization, and sustainability management are also increasingly affected. Added to this is a significant shortage of staff in government agencies, which further slows down approval, testing, and implementation processes. For the German Garden Industry Association (IVG), this development poses a systemic risk to competitiveness, innovation, and the successful transformation of the industry.

From the IVG’s perspective, this trend can only be addressed through a coordinated set of measures. “First and foremost, we need to raise the profile of the green sector as a modern, technology- and knowledge-intensive economic sector,” says Philip Testroet, deputy managing director at the IVG. In his view, garden products and green infrastructure products in particular now sit at the intersection of climate protection, resource efficiency, digitalization, and consumer protection. “This reality must be more strongly reflected in career guidance, academic programs, and public perception,” says Testroet. “In addition, salary levels must also reflect the level of responsibility.”

At the same time, the IVG is calling for a reduction in bureaucratic burdens, such as the growing documentation and reporting requirements. The association believes these further exacerbate the labor shortage. “More efficient procedures, digital processes, and regulations would provide immediate relief and make better use of existing capacities,” notes Philip Testroet. He is calling for reliable and predictable policy frameworks for the industry. “Transformation requires time, personnel, and expertise—both in companies and in the relevant authorities,” says Testroet. “Only if climate protection, product, and consumer policies are designed coherently can companies invest strategically in training, IT security, and new job profiles.”

Other associations in the green industry are also working to find solutions to the shortage of skilled workers. For example, the Federal Association of Garden, Landscape, and Sports Field Construction (BGL) is actively recruiting career changers on social media. Through regular posts on social media, the aim is to spark interest in a career change to horticulture and landscaping among as many people as possible. For foreign employees, the GaLaBau North Rhine-Westphalia Association has hired special “welcome guides” to advise and support businesses. At the national level, the Federation of German Industries is calling for a comprehensive strategy to tap into all domestic potential and attract qualified foreign workers. In particular, vocational training should be strengthened to achieve this.

To attract skilled workers, companies in the green sector offer, for example, flexible work schedules or in-house training opportunities. Given the tight housing market, companies also provide housing for their employees or assist them in finding a place to live. An open corporate culture and a commitment to sustainability are seen as strong selling points for recruitment. As management consultant Mariel Kleeschulte emphasized at the recent IVG Forum Gartenmarkt: “According to a survey, 70 percent of job seekers would be more likely to apply for a job or accept a job offer if the company prioritizes sustainability.”

From the IVG’s perspective, one thing is clear: the shortage of skilled workers can be resolved. “But only if politics, business, and government act together,” states Philip Testroet. “Securing skilled workers in production, IT, cybersecurity, and public institutions is a key prerequisite for the green sector to fulfill its role in climate protection, sustainability, and economic stability.”

As the international meeting place for the green industry, spoga+gafa will provide a platform for exchange and information from June 22 to 24, 2026. With innovations across all subject areas and a diverse program of events, it will provide important impetus for the future of the industry.