30 Projects for Styria: Thinking and acting again!

30 Projects for Styria: Thinking and acting again!

On June 25, 2025, the first meeting of a new location partnership took place in the Landhaus Graz, which was presented by State Councilor Willibald Ehrenhöfer and Governor Mario Kunasek. This initiative aims to significantly strengthen Styria as a business location. As reports [5min.at] (https://www.5min.at/5202506281343/30-fuer- fuer-competitionfaehinke-in-der-Steiermark/), the agenda of the partnership includes three focus issues that are of central importance for the future of the region.

The focus is on the transformation of the mobility industry, ensuring a stable energy supply for companies and securing qualified specialists. Ehrenhöfer emphasized that the state government wants to make significant progress in these areas. In order to achieve these goals, 30 lead projects are planned, which are supported by the participants of the meeting, including the presidents of the Styrian social partners and the chairpersons of the university conference.

step by step to competitiveness

Among the planned projects can be found measures such as the expansion of important road connections, the improvement of skills in digitization and artificial intelligence as well as investments in future departments such as hydrogen and biomedicine. Styria thus pursues the goal of quick implementation of existing projects and the development of further location relevant projects. Because one thing is certain: In order to be able to exist in global competition, the framework conditions for companies must be improved.

However, there are also critical voices. Max Lercher, chairman of the SPÖ state party, warned that the state government had to take concrete measures in order not to endanger future developments. "A great potential is unused. If we do not act quickly, we will soon look into the tube," said the politician, who also underlined the need to secure prosperity and jobs in the region.

shortage of skilled workers as a central problem

Another central aspect that is closely interwoven with the current situation of the labor market is the shortage of skilled workers. According to the specialist monitoring of the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, a growing bottleneck situation will be expected over the next five years. The reasons include the demographic changes, digitization and the market area, which suffers from the Ukraine conflict bmas.de.

The analysis shows that jobs are broken down in certain industries such as the chemical industry and the automotive industry. At the same time, however, many places remain vacant because less and less well -trained specialists are available. It is estimated that around 618,000 people could press the labor market without a degree in the next few years, which only increases the challenges.

The situation requires strategic answers to industrial and regional policy level. Developments in the circular economy and renewable energies have the potential to create new jobs, but this dynamic development opposes high construction prices and interest rates that inhibit growth.

Further information on the challenges and projects can be found on Orf Styria.