Europe is currently grappling with a significant shortage of skilled welders. According to the European Welding Federation (EWF), the EU market needs approximately 300,000 professionals to meet industry demands. The EURES network confirms that welding remains one of the most scarce and highly sought-after professions across the continent.

Why Europe Faces a Welding Workforce Crisis

The shortage of qualified welders has emerged due to several interrelated factors:

• Aging workforce. Many experienced welders are approaching retirement, leaving a gap that is not being filled fast enough by younger professionals.
• Low appeal to younger generations. Welding is often perceived as physically demanding and “old-fashioned,” leading many young people to choose careers in technology, engineering, or other modern, cleaner professions.
• Rising industrial demand. Industries such as construction, automotive, metal fabrication, and mechanical engineering are all competing for a limited pool of qualified welders.

In Germany, for example, 82% of companies report serious difficulties in recruiting and retaining skilled welding personnel, highlighting the urgency of the problem.

This shortage is the result of demographic changes, shifting career preferences, and growing industrial needs, creating a perfect storm for European manufacturing.

Consequences for Industry and the Economy

The lack of skilled welders directly affects European production and economic stability:

• Project delays and missed deadlines. Manufacturing timelines are disrupted, which can impact entire supply chains.
• Increased labor costs. Companies are forced to rely on overtime or temporary teams, often at premium rates.
• Decline in quality. Available staff may lack sufficient experience, leading to lower production standards.
• Lost business opportunities. Some companies are forced to refuse new orders due to capacity constraints.

These challenges make supply chains more vulnerable, raise production costs, and weaken the global competitiveness of European firms.

The shortage is not merely a labor issue—it poses a real threat to industrial efficiency, profitability, and market position.


Governments Step In: Automation as a Strategic Solution

To address the skills gap, European governments are increasingly promoting automation and digitalization in manufacturing. Key measures include:

• Financial support. Grants, subsidies, and tax incentives encourage businesses to adopt robotic and digital solutions.
• Large-scale technological investment. For instance, under the Horizon Europe program, €180 million has been allocated for AI and robotic development, including collaborative welding robots.
• National industrial modernization initiatives. France’s “Future of Industry” program dedicates €40 million to automation projects and VR/AR integration.

Automation aims to reduce dependency on manual labor while enhancing productivity, reliability, and competitiveness.

Robotic Welding Solutions by Quant Robotics

Quant Robotics offers advanced robotic welding systems that help companies compensate for workforce shortages while ensuring stable, high-quality production.
Key offerings:

• EVA 2.0. A versatile welding cell designed for assembly and beam welding.
• Beam rotators. Allow safe and precise rotation of beams without connecting them to overhead cranes during the process.

Smart software and automation:

• The system automatically measures the geometry of parts and beams, enabling precise assembly despite differences between 3D models and real components.
• Integrated material handling and quality control modules streamline processes, reducing lengthy manual operations and creating a compact, fully automated production line.

With such systems, a single robotic solution can replace multiple welders and assemblers, while ensuring consistent quality that does not depend on human performance.

Advanced robotic systems allow companies to overcome labor shortages, increase efficiency, and maintain high production standards.


Looking Ahead: The Future of European Manufacturing

The shortage of welders reflects a wider challenge: Europe is facing a growing skills gap across many technical professions. In this environment, automation is not a luxury — it is essential.

Technologies like Quant Robotics’ welding solutions offer companies the ability to:

• Close workforce gaps.
• Sustain productivity growth.
• Improve product quality.
• Build resilient and reliable supply chains.

The future of European industry lies in a balanced partnership between humans and machines. Robots take on heavy, repetitive tasks, freeing skilled specialists to focus on oversight, process optimization, and quality control. This symbiosis is shaping the next generation of smart, efficient, and competitive manufacturing across Europe.

2 December, 2025