German Mittelstand grapples with digitalisation, skilled‑labour shortage and weak LinkedIn presence

Germany’s Mittelstand employs more than 6 million workers in craft and mid‑size firms, yet it is frequently undervalued. The sector faces major challenges such as a shortage of skilled labour, digital transformation, and succession planning. The Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) is responding by offering dual‑study programmes that combine management, business planning, digitisation and AI training, having already graduated over 700 students to support the industry’s future.

A recent study of the same companies shows that their digital communication is lagging: only about one‑quarter of Mittelstand firms maintain an active LinkedIn presence, roughly half lack a corporate account, and merely 12 % of CEOs post regularly. This low visibility limits their ability to attract talent, customers and partners, even as stakeholders increasingly turn to LinkedIn for information. The study recommends stronger corporate pages and more personal yet professional CEO profiles to showcase expertise, address issues such as the skilled‑labour gap, and improve overall market perception.