Jobless rate in Pforzheim eases back in September 2023
In the heart of Germany, the city of Pforzheim is experiencing a shift in its job market. According to recent reports, there were 203 job offers in September 2023, a significant decrease of 103 vacancies compared to the previous month [1][2]. This decline is particularly noticeable when compared to September 2022, where there were 25 more job offers [1][2].
This contraction in the job market can be attributed, in part, to the Klingel Group layoffs. As a significant local employer, these layoffs have directly increased unemployment rates in the region, reducing the number of employed individuals and slowing local hiring [1][2].
The Klingel Group layoffs are not an isolated incident. Germany's job market is undergoing a shift in 2025, marked by layoffs and fewer new openings, reflecting a more challenging employment landscape [3]. Regional agreements and labor market adaptations, traditionally used to stabilize employment, are struggling to counteract these trends.
Currently, the number of active job listings in Pforzheim stands at around 48, indicating a limited number of opportunities compared to more robust markets [4]. The unemployment rate in the Enz district has decreased by 0.2 percentage points to 2.9 percent, but Pforzheim continues to have one of the highest unemployment rates among 44 city and district administrations in Baden-Württemberg [4].
Despite these challenges, the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency is taking proactive measures. They plan to use the consistently high number of open positions and the great interest of many companies in taking over Klingel employees for their mediation activities [4]. Employment specialists from the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency opened a total of eight employment offices at all three Klingel sites on September 18, aiming to mediate as many Klingel employees as possible into a new employment relationship to prevent them from becoming unemployed [4].
The unemployment rate in Pforzheim decreased by 0.3 percentage points from August to September, now at 6.2 percent [4]. However, it's worth noting that this decrease might be due to the end of summer holidays, as the number of younger unemployed people in Pforzheim decreased with the start of school, training, or studies after the summer holidays [4].
On a positive note, Martina Lehmann, head of the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency, stated that many young, well-trained specialists who could not or did not want to be taken on after their training were quickly mediated [4].
As of mid-September, there were 4,812 open job offers in the district of the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency, which is 15 or 0.3 percent more than in August and 1,109 or 18.7 percent less than a year ago [4]. Statewide, the unemployment rate has decreased by 0.1 percentage points to 4 percent [4].
In comparison, Mannheim has a higher unemployment rate at 7.3 percent compared to Pforzheim [4]. The source for this information is pm [4].
As the employment landscape in Pforzheim continues to evolve, the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency remains committed to supporting local job seekers and businesses in navigating these challenges.
References: [1] [2] [3] [4] https://pm.de/wirtschaft/arbeitsmarkt-in-pforzheim-schwankt-wegen-klingel-layoffs-auf-35-prozent-ab-5045742.html
The contraction in Pforzheim's job market, as stated in the reports, is not limited to the city alone, as Germany's job market in 2025 is experiencing layoffs and fewer new openings, affecting various industries such as finance, business, and others, making it a challenging employment landscape.
Despite the current decline in job opportunities in Pforzheim, the Nagold-Pforzheim Employment Agency is actively working to support local job seekers and businesses, particularly by mediating open positions in the finance, business, and related industries.
