Skilled Labor Shortage? Women Move into Focus as a Key Resource

In Düsseldorf, a networking event on June 11, 2026, aims to bring women and companies together directly. Behind the date is a labor market policy goal: greater labor force participation by women – and thus additional potential in a labor market that continues to suffer from staffing gaps in many sectors.

Invitation to the Event

The event "Company Seeks Woman: Talking Together, Learning from Each Other – Women Change the Economy" is open for registration. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Career Information Center (BiZ) of the Düsseldorf Employment Agency, Grafenberger Allee 300, 40237 Düsseldorf. Participation is free for women; childcare will be provided if needed.

The format is organized by the working group "Strengthening Women's Employment," a coalition of regional stakeholders, including the Düsseldorf Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts, Düsseldorf City DGB, the Office for Gender Equality and Anti-Discrimination of the City of Düsseldorf, Jobcenter and Employment Agency Düsseldorf, as well as other partners from the business community. Information and registration are available at www.frauenveraendernwirtschaft.de; Ms. Boog can also be contacted at duesseldorf.bca@arbeitsagentur.de.

Why the Date is Relevant for Labor Market Policy

The approach is pragmatic: Employers are looking for staff, while labor potential remains untapped – especially where barriers make access to the labor market difficult. This is exactly where the event comes in. It aims not only to inform, but above all to enable encounters: Women considering a career change, re-entry, reorientation, or training should be able to talk directly with companies.

Current figures from the Federal Statistical Office underscore the potential:

• Almost 4.9 million non-employed people aged 15 to 74 who want to work
• 1.7 million unemployed
• 3.2 million people in the hidden reserve, 55.2% of whom are women

At the same time, the skilled labor shortage remains a structural issue from the perspective of the Federal Employment Agency – despite slight relief. In its 2024 annual estimate, it lists 163 shortage occupations. Particularly affected are areas such as:

• Care and health
• Construction and crafts

What Women and Companies in Düsseldorf Can Expect

The schedule is designed for a condensed exchange:

• 10:00 a.m.: Check-in
• Opening and welcome
• Keynote by Dr. Lydia Malin (German Economic Institute Cologne)
• Panel discussion: "Career Change: Dead End or Career Booster?"
• Introduction of attending companies
• Round-tables at topic tables
• "Come Together" at the booths
• Presentation of results and raffle of a business photo shoot

The event will be moderated by Tabea Schneider from the Düsseldorf Chamber of Crafts.

Among the participating companies is Schulz & Sohn GmbH. Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer Mark Sethe emphasizes that diversity is part of modern corporate management and that participation in working life strengthens competitiveness – especially in medium-sized businesses.

Fabian Düesmann Larocque, Head of People & Culture, points out that non-linear career paths often bring additional experience and perspectives and that people should be encouraged regardless of their entry situation.

The venue can be reached via the Schlüterstraße/Arbeitsagentur stop:

• U72, U73, U83
• Bus line 709
• Bus lines 725, 733, 810

Parking is available at the back of the agency building on Ivo-Beucker-Straße and in the surrounding residential area.

Which Barriers to Labor Market Access Become Visible

As much as the format relies on personal contacts – it also points to structural issues that determine whether interest actually leads to employment. These include:

• Working hours
• Work-life balance
• Opportunities for advancement
• Pay

Nationwide, the unadjusted gender pay gap in 2024 was 16%. On average, women earned €22.24 per hour compared to €26.34 for men – a difference of €4.10.

Those who earn less often reduce working hours or postpone re-entry – and thus lose career development opportunities. These interactions are relevant for companies if they want to retain skilled workers in the long term.

The fact that the Düsseldorf event offers childcare is not just a service, but a signal: Practical relief is a deciding factor in whether participation and networking are even possible.

The event does not replace reforms in childcare, working time culture, or pay structures. But it shows a concrete lever that regional labor market policy and companies can immediately use: facilitate access, enable transitions, establish contacts – and thus activate employment potential where it exists.