Politics & Society: The shortage of skilled workers is reaching a new record low in Germany. When the 61 to 63 cohorts retire, Germany will have a shortage of over 7 million skilled workers. That is why it is now a matter of motivating young people to learn these professions and, for example, to go into the skilled trades. One person who is committed to the future opportunities of young people is Hollywood star, bodybuilder and activist Ralf Moeller. He has been an ambassador for the German government's youth campaign "Starke Typen" since 2008. Ralf Moeller knows the difficult situation for socially disadvantaged people from the Ruhr area, where he grew up. That is why Ralf Moeller has now launched the "Motivation Handwerk" initiative with Andreas Grewe, who is the 4th generation to run the family business Hans Schäfer Workwear. As part of the campaign, craftsmen or even craft businesses can apply and send in videos in which they show why they love their craft, how they came to it and how it became their passion. Ralf Moeller will personally visit the three winners, who will be selected in 2024 by a jury of experts initiated by Hans Schäfer Workwear, next year.

We met him at the AplusA trade fair in Düsseldorf, where he presented this idea to the professional audience. At the stand of his advertising partner Hans Schäfer Workwear, initiator of the job exchange "Motivation Handwerk", he spoke about important social issues. But he also had a surprise in store for the waiting journalists and showed his perfect pull-ups on a pair of trousers that amazingly held out the 1.97 tall giant. He also spoke to Alethea Magazine about his new book "Vegan Gladiators". 

31 October 2023

Continue reading in German

Interview Directory 

IN FOCUS/LEADER

Name: Ralf Moeller

Occupation: Actor, Activist, Author

Residence: Los Angeles, Recklinghausen

Actor Ralf Moeller in Düsseldorf © VIBAGRAFIK

"In the next few years we will have a shortage of over 7 million skilled workers, the age groups 61, 62, 63. That means we need master painters, carpenters, electricians, tilers."

You have been involved in youth and education development for years. How did you come to your current role?

I am the brand ambassador for Hans Schäfer Workwear, one of the innovative market leaders for workwear. Today, this modern workwear is like leisure or sports fashion. That means you can go straight to the gym after work. Today, this is an important factor because the worlds of work and leisure are interwoven and the work-life balance is becoming more and more important. In the next few years we will have a shortage of over 7 million skilled workers, the age groups 61, 62, 63. That means we need master painters, carpenters, electricians, tilers. Skilled workers you have to wait weeks for today. Hans Schäfer Workwear therefore hears it from all its customers: We need young people and that is why we started the campaign. It is about showing the attractiveness of the professions. Young people can tell why they chose the profession of carpenter, plumber or bricklayer. A jury of experts will choose the three winners and I will visit them myself next year and report on it.

"This is not how Cologne Cathedral was built. The craft still has a golden bottom."

How do you think this record low came about?

Everyone wants to work comfortably from home on the internet. Many want to become influencers, actors or footballers. Some young people tell me that they don't want to stand for 7 to 8 hours or work outside. Then I reply that sitting in an office chair for 40 hours makes you sick, and then add more hours playing computer games.... Totally unhealthy . you need an active lifestyle with lots of exercise. The media world makes us believe that you can earn a lot of money with little work, but you mustn't get your hands dirty. That's not how Cologne Cathedral was built. Craft still has a golden bottom.

"You can find a profession you haven't thought of yourself yet."

Did you know right away what you wanted to become? Did you always go your way with determination?

I come from a middle-class family, my father was a locksmith, my mother a retail saleswoman. I myself wanted to join the police, but first I trained as a swimming instructor. After that I switched to sports. When I was 14, I didn't know that I would become an actor one day. When I became a bodybuilder, world champion and Mister Universe and went to America, I got in touch with the film world. Young people who don't know what they want to do yet could do an internship. You can find a profession you haven't thought of yourself yet. As a young person, you have a lot of ideas, but they are not always realisable. That's why it's important to educate people, and that's why we do campaigns like this.

You have also written a new book "Vegan Gladiators". How do you feel about being vegan and highly active now?

"I feel better now than ever and have more energy."

I ate meat well for 50 years and now I am vegan. I feel better now than ever and have more energy - the cholesterol and blood sugar levels are lower and the immune system is stronger, the skin better... Protein is also plenty in a plant-based diet; gorillas and elephants don't eat any differently.

Just reduce your meat consumption and eat vegetarian once a week, because you don't have to become vegan overnight.

Actor Ralf Moeller in Düsseldorf © VIBAGRAFIK

Actor Ralf Moeller in Düsseldorf © VIBAGRAFIK