Competition for Talent

Attracting and retaining the best employees is crucial to our success. Having an attractive and compelling total offer package for employees is becoming increasingly important given the strong global competition for the best qualified employees and leaders. This is why we are constantly working on measures to increase BASF’s attractiveness in the global labor markets.

We are increasingly using digital platforms such as our country-specific career websites as well as global and regional social networks to reach potential candidates. This enables us to appropriately address different target groups.

In light of the coronavirus pandemic, we primarily used digital solutions for our talent search activities in 2021 and participated in a few in-person events. To also provide the best possible information on BASF as an employer virtually, we are continuously developing our digital presence. For example, we are represented at digital trade fairs and conferences, conduct digital excursions for students from various universities of sites in Germany, and organize expert lectures for future talent. This virtual contact enables a demand-oriented, flexible and location-independent approach. As a result, we were able to continue to attract and recruit talented employees.

In addition, we consistently take part in specific career events to directly reach and attract talent from various disciplines, especially female candidates. We focus in particular on our female employees as role models with various initiatives such as podcasts, career fairs and networking events aimed specifically at women, or on our social media channels.

In 2021, we established a digital onboarding process at some sites for new employees and their managers in the period up to the first day of work and beyond. The aim is to ensure a successful first day at work and to build an early bond between the new colleagues and their future team at BASF, for example by sending video messages and information about the division and team. We want to continue to drive forward global implementation in 2022.

To combat the shortage of skilled workers in production and technical areas, due among other factors to demographic-related declines in Ludwigshafen, Germany, we have strengthened our social media presence, for example, to alert qualified specialists to new career prospects at BASF. In addition, we cooperate with local radio stations and the German employment agency to target skilled workers at informational events.

We once again achieved high scores in a number of employer rankings in 2021. For example, in a study conducted by Universum, young scientists ranked BASF as the second most attractive employer in Germany (2020: fifth). In North America, DiversityInc named BASF as one of the top 50 companies for diversity in recruiting for the ninth consecutive year. In Asia, Top Employer recognized BASF China as one of the best employers for the twelfth time in succession. In South America, LinkedIn ranked BASF second in its list of top companies in Brazil.

The BASF Group hired 10,293 new employees in 2021. The percentage of employees who resigned during their first three years of employment – the early turnover rate – was 1.5% worldwide in 2021. This turnover rate was 0.6% in Europe, 2.4% in North America, 3.4% in Asia Pacific and 2.5% in South America, Africa, Middle East. Our early turnover rate is therefore at a desirable low level.

As of December 31, 2021, the BASF Group was training 3,028 people in 12 countries and around 50 occupations. We spent a total of around €119 million on vocational training in 2021.

• More information on careers at BASF