- Approximately one-fifth of female educators are shifting their professional environments.
Despite a shortage of skilled workers in numerous childcare centers across Lower Saxony, the workforce in this sector has seen a substantial boost lately. A study conducted by the Institute for Employment Research Lower Saxony-Bremen revealed that over 26,700 additional individuals were employed in childcare by 2022 compared to 2013, a surge of 52%.
However, the researchers also pointed out that around 20% of childcare workers, predominantly women (94%), frequently switch careers and opt for other opportunities. This trend could be attributed to not only professional shifts but also challenging working conditions under team shortages, physical stress such as constant noise and hunching posture, stress, and pressure.
Enhanced working conditions might help mitigate the skills shortage in childcare, as professionals may opt to stay in the field longer or part-timers could increase their weekly hours. At present, part-time employment in childcare stands at an astonishing 72% of the workforce.
The study indicated that wages have climbed notably over the years, and pay should now take a minor seat in discussions on attracting more qualified personnel. In fact, full-time childcare workers earn around 3,600 euros gross, which amounts to approximately 125 euros more than the median salary of all employees in Lower Saxony.
In all, over 78,000 individuals are employed in childcare across Lower Saxony. The researchers attribute the significant growth in these professions in recent years to their "gigantic significance" for society.
It's worth noting that the gender ratio and part-time employment in childcare are significantly skewed. The proportion of women and part-time employees is substantially higher than in other sectors, while the age group is younger, and foreign workers are relatively scarce (only about 3%). One possible explanation is the complexity in recognizing foreign qualifications in this profession compared to others.
The surge in employment in childcare centers can be attributed, in part, to the recognition of its significant role in society, making it an attractive field for education and career development. To retain skilled workers and combat the high turnover rate, it's crucial to improve working conditions, offering opportunities for professionals to increase their weekly hours and stay in the sector longer.
