Since I wrote this and this, there has been a change in Germany's position on immigration. For skilled workers, the German government has passed new legislation to relax immigration rules, as reported here, here and here on Deutsche Welle.

The change is needed and well overdue.

There is, however, something missing from their strategy. There is a large pool of skilled and experienced people within Germany which could also be utilised to fill the shortage of skilled workers: people who are retired. Germany has compulsory retirement at age 66 (only for permanent employees, not freelance contractors), and if the retirement regulations were relaxed, many people with vital skills would be willing and able to return to the workforce. This compulsory retirement has resulted in a strong prejudice against utilising older people even as freelance contractors, which will take some effort to overcome, but the benefits to the nation and the potential workers would be enormous. I am not suggesting that it be required that people over 66 return to work, but it should be an option for those who want to.