Lane damage in Offenbach: Stadtwerke fight against a shortage of skilled workers

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shortage of skilled workers: Challenges of road damage disposal in Offenbach

In Offenbach, the handling of road and walkway damage raised special difficulties in 2023. The civil engineering department is faced with the challenge of reducing a significant deficit when repairing damaged lanes. The shortage of skilled workers has a direct impact on the effectiveness of road maintenance, which is important for traffic safety and the comfort of the citizens.

repair statistics and priorities

In the first half of 2023, 453 road damage was recorded by the municipal utility staff, whereby only 147 of these damage could be repaired by the middle of the year. This compared to the 387 damage that was remedied within six months in the previous year. Heiko Linne, operations manager of ESO Stadtservice GmbH, explains: "If there are too many road damage in a certain section of the street, the repair of each individual does not make sense." Here it is emphasized that the budget requirements prevent comprehensive renovation and make it necessary to prioritize the repairs.

an increasing commitment to solve the problem

A ray of hope is the recent commissioning of an external company that focuses special on repairing potholes. Peter Walther, Managing Director of Stadtwerke Offenbach Holding, reports on the progress and hope of improving the situation soon. In addition to external orders, the municipal utilities are also actively looking for their own specialists in order to master the challenges in the field of street support in the long term.

The search for young people and the importance of training

The Stadtwerke Offenbach increasingly rely on the training of young people. Melanie Gessner, head of the civil engineering department, emphasizes that despite her own training initiatives, the demand for young specialists is low. "Many perceive the physical work in street work as uncomfortable, which often leads to a emigration towards less strenuous activities," she explains. These high requirements and the desire for more comfort can deter potential applicants.

budget and future plans

The municipal utilities have planned for the year 2024 to renovate 40,000 square meters of the road and the bike paths. The available budget for repairs and renovations is 2.5 million euros, an increase compared to the previous year. However, despite this increase, the financial situation is not optimal, which requires further efforts to meet the multitude of problems in the infrastructure.

conclusion: a common concern for the city of Offenbach

The challenges that the shortage of skilled workers and the inadequate resources have not only affect the municipal utilities, but also the citizens of Offenbach. The quality of the street infrastructure is crucial for the security and quality of life of the residents. A solution can only be found through a joint effort from a public sector, educational institutions and the economy that addresses both the current problem and sets the course for a sustainable future.

Source: PM Stadt Offenbach

- Nag