Among reasons given for difficulties in finding the right candidates, 30% of employers surveyed cited a lack of technical skills, 29% a lack of candidates, 17% blamed a lack of professional experience and 14% cited missing interpersonal skills.
Among the most sought-after staff are electricians, welders and mechanics, followed by sales representatives, company executives and managers. Hotel and catering staff, drivers, administrative staff and engineers are also in demand by recruiters, as well as specialists such as project managers, lawyers and researchers. Other sought-after workers are cleaners and domestic staff, as well as accounting and finance specialists.
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According to Leif Agnéus, managing director of Manpower Switzerland, the expansion of e-commerce has increased the size of the logistics and customer service sector, generating a growing need for drivers and call centre agents.
“Technological change is profoundly changing the way work is done and requires an overhaul of the skills needed to do it. Demographic trends and a low unemployment rate make recruitment more difficult,” he said.
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Cantons demand more access to foreign employees
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The number of foreign workers in Switzerland has been at the centre of a fierce political and social debate for some time, culminating in a 2014 referendum to curb the rate of immigration. The following year, the government reduced the number of B and L permits for non-EU migrants from 8,500 to 6,500. Protests led…
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Some 85% of Swiss graduating from an apprenticeship find a job within three months; almost half of them stay loyal to the employer who trained them.
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Zurich and Geneva are among the top cities in the world for expat salaries, according to this year’s HSBC expat salary survey.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.