Skilled workers wanted: The EU’s defence industry struggles to find the right talent

The European Union’s defence industry  is facing a critical shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in technical, engineering, and cybersecurity fields. The demand for specialized talent has surged due to the evolving geopolitical landscape, growing security concerns, and the EU’s push to bolster its strategic autonomy in defence.

A Growing Talent Crisis

Defence industry leaders have repeatedly highlighted the difficulty in recruiting professionals with the necessary expertise to support the sector’s modernization and expansion. While EU nations have increased their defence budgets, investments in workforce development have lagged behind, leaving companies struggling to find qualified candidates.

One of the key reasons behind this shortage is the lack of specialized training programs tailored to the defence sector. Unlike industries such as aerospace or automotive, where technical education and apprenticeship systems are well-established, defence-related skills are often developed in niche military or governmental institutions, limiting the pipeline of talent available to private-sector companies.

National Initiatives to Bridge the Gap

Several EU member states have launched initiatives to address this workforce shortage:

• Germany has introduced an “opportunity card” to attract skilled foreign professionals in critical sectors, including defence-related industries. This initiative aims to simplify work permit procedures and encourage international talent to relocate. (es.euronews.com)

• France has implemented a strategy to re-engage retired defence industry workers, offering them annual paid training and the opportunity to return to work if needed. This measure seeks to capitalize on existing expertise while bridging the talent gap. (huffingtonpost.es)

• Poland and Italy have increased funding for vocational training programs specifically designed to prepare young professionals for roles in defence manufacturing, cybersecurity, and AI-driven military applications.

The EU’s Broader Defence Strategy

In response to the growing challenges, the European Commission has unveiled the first European Defence Industrial Strategy, allocating €1.5 billion to enhance Europe’s security and industrial readiness.

Key objectives of this strategy include:

• Ensuring that by 2030, at least 40% of defence equipment procurement within the EU is done collaboratively among member states.
• Directing at least 50% of defence investments toward European-made products, reducing reliance on external suppliers.
• Encouraging partnerships between universities, research institutions, and defence companies to create specialized training programs and foster innovation.

Challenges to Overcome

Despite these efforts, the European defence industry still faces major obstacles:

• Fragmentation among EU members: Unlike the U.S., where defence procurement is centralized under a single national authority, the EU’s defence market remains divided. Only 18% of military capability programs are developed jointly across member states.
• Slow adoption of digital skills: The increasing use of AI, automation, and cyber warfare technologies requires a new generation of workers trained in digital defence, an area where Europe is still lagging.
• Limited incentives for young professionals: Many skilled graduates prefer to work in commercial tech companies rather than in defence, which is often perceived as bureaucratic and less innovative.

The Path Forward

To ensure the long-term sustainability of its defence sector, the EU must implement comprehensive workforce development policies, including:

1. Expanding technical education: Universities and vocational schools should introduce specialized defence-related programs, including AI-driven warfare, cybersecurity, and aerospace engineering.
2. Increasing cross-border cooperation: A more unified EU-wide approach to defence recruitment and training would help address talent shortages more efficiently.
3. Boosting financial incentives: Scholarships, grants, and competitive salaries could make defence-related careers more attractive to young professionals.

With geopolitical tensions rising and the demand for European-made defence equipment growing, the urgency to address these workforce challenges has never been greater. The coming years will be decisive in shaping Europe’s ability to maintain a strong, independent defence industry in the face of global uncertainties.