Carinthian partners plan response to skills shortage

Carinthia’s social partners will compile proposals to strengthen the state’s economy and address its growing skills shortage in a joint document by January, ORF reports. The plans were discussed at Tuesday’s state government meeting.

Finding enough skilled workers is a key factor for businesses, participants said. Without immigration, Carinthia’s population is shrinking, while young people need mobility, housing and attractive jobs. Businesses, in turn, need planning certainty.

Timo Springer, president of the Industrial Association, said the partners would present their proposals to state politicians. He hopes they will be implemented for all businesses and across the state. Nika Basic, vice-president of the Chamber of Commerce, said many ideas had been discussed, but no comprehensive solution had emerged. Businesses were under pressure from investment needs, high costs and intense competition, she said.

Governor Daniel Fellner said a team of civil servants would support businesses making investments above a certain size, following the example of the Infineon expansion. The task force would bring relevant parties together and act as a service partner. District administrative offices would also have dedicated contacts for businesses planning smaller investments.

Deputy Governor Martin Gruber called again for a reform of unemployment benefits, arguing that benefits that decline over time can encourage people to return to work. “Those who cannot work need support,” he said, adding that some people could work but did not want to. He said gradually reducing unemployment benefits could provide an incentive.

Peter Wedenig of the Public Employment Service said Carinthia should be considered more closely alongside Styria and the Alpine-Adriatic region. Better cooperation, he said, could be a significant advantage for the state.

Opposition politicians criticised the proposals. FPÖ parliamentary group leader Erwin Angerer called them “empty phrases instead of active measures” and said rising energy costs were a key cause of the economic difficulties. Team Kärnten’s leader said the focus should be on cutting bureaucracy and adapting young people’s training to businesses’ needs. NEOS state spokesperson Janos Juvan said Carinthia needed decisions rather than more strategy papers, and called for less bureaucracy, faster procedures, one-stop services for businesses and structural reforms.

Those involved in Tuesday’s meeting said they wanted to continue working together on Carinthia’s economic future through 2035.