Germany: employees whose jobs are very likely to be automated receive the least amount of lifelong training

The editorial team is offering you free access to this article
Start your free 1-month trial to access all our content

In a new study published on 20 August 2019, the IAB, German Institute for Employment Research, has highlighted an apparently paradoxical phenomenon. At a time when training is becoming increasingly important as new technologies continue to mushroom, workers who undertake more routine-type tasks, and as such highly likely to see their jobs becoming automated, are actually undertaking fewer lifelong training opportunities than those who carry out non-repetitive tasks and as such less likely to see their jobs become automated. This gap does not depend on (or at most only very slightly) the person’s qualifications. Instead it is largely due to both the intensity of corporate effort devoted to training and the corporate budget availability. The researchers also noted another key factor was the readiness of workers to participate in the training opportunities being offered by companies.

Link to the IAB study results

, including the data (in German).

Do you have information to share with us?
What you absolutely must read this week
The essential content of the week selected by the editorial team.
See all
EU: social partners split over competitiveness and action on job quality
The European Trade Union Confederation and BusinessEurope have published their response to the consultation document on the European Commission's upcoming EU quality jobs initiative. The two...
4 February 2026
2026 TRENDS — Social dialogue, a major challenge in the deployment of AI in companies
mind RH is analysing the trends that will shape 2026. Artificial intelligence is emerging as a force that goes far beyond efficiency gains and productivity improvements. It is reshaping tasks...
4 February 2026
The major trends of 2026
New regulations coming into force, economic uncertainty, evolving skills requirements… More than ever, the HR function will play a strategic role within organizations in 2026. mind HR...
Germany: collective bargaining negotiations begin in chemical industry
Collective bargaining talks in Germany’s chemical and pharmaceutical industries are due to open this week, covering nearly 580,000 employees across around 1,700 companies. With the sector facing...
3 February 2026
Most viewed articles of the month on mind HR
What readers clicked on the most last month.
What readers clicked on the most last month.
1
United Kingdom: government urged to legislate against forced labour
After consulting victims, businesses and NGOs, the Independent Anti-Slavery Commissioner (IASC) has published a report showing that the UK is lagging behind in the fight against forced labour. The...
13 January 2026
2
EU: European Parliament calls for a directive on just transition
On 20 January, MEPs approved, with 420 votes in favour, an own-initiative report calling for a just transition directive. The text calls for the protection of workers to be guaranteed in the...
20 January 2026