Military recruitment companies entice new enlistees with yoga sessions and potentially free condoms as part of their attraction strategies.
In a remarkable shift, Europe's defense sector is undergoing a transformation, not just in terms of modernising its weapons and technology, but also in its approach to human resources. The industry, long considered a declining sector, is now actively seeking to attract and retain a new generation of skilled workers.
According to consultancy Kearney, a boost in defense spending to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) would require as many as 760,000 skilled workers in Europe by 2030. This staggering figure has prompted companies like Hensoldt AG to recruit 1,000 people this year, with an emphasis on computer scientists, electrical engineers, and mechatronics engineers.
The need for skilled labour is acute, with attrition rates in aerospace and defense reaching more than 40% for some trades, a situation that is even more pronounced in Europe. To address this, the European Union has committed €800 billion for rearmament, with Germany making defense a top priority and Britain reallocating funds from foreign aid.
Companies like BAE Systems and Rheinmetall are racing to refresh an aging workforce with recent graduates and workers poached from other industries. Blue collar vacancies like welding, pipe fitting, and plumbing are particularly hard to fill. The car-making industry, which is shedding jobs due to overcapacity, could be a potential source for talent.
To attract and retain workers, defense companies are offering more competitive pay, improved training programs, flexible training schedules, and qualification opportunities such as language courses and IT training. Companies like Rheinmetall and Theon International Plc are offering additional perks such as parenting support, yoga classes, and language courses.
The defense industry is attempting to rebrand itself to appeal to a wider audience. Weapons manufacturers are going to extreme lengths to attract a new generation of workers, including offering yoga classes, generous pay, and converting restaurant cooks into welders building battleships. Even Rheinmetall AG, a German defense contractor, has been handing out condom packages stamped with the company's name and a message at recruiting events.
Graduate and apprenticeship programs at defense companies like Babcock and BAE Systems are significantly oversubscribed. A former chef became a welding apprentice at Babcock due to the similarities in priorities such as cleanliness, precision, and attention to detail.
The persistent shortage of STEM workers in the defense industry has led companies like Leonardo SpA to strengthen career development programs to attract talent. The industry is offering more competitive pay and creating a more welcoming environment for young recruits.
Austrian company Steyr Motors AG is collaborating with technical schools and universities to showcase the modern and meaningful nature of their work. Ollie Edwards, a 25-year-old design engineer at BAE in Portsmouth, England, was attracted by job stability, the national scale of the projects, and the opportunity to solve problems every day.
In this new era of recruitment, the defense industry is not just offering jobs, but a career with opportunities for growth, competitive pay, and a chance to be part of projects that matter.
