Engineering, natural sciences professions and IT professions are experiencing an acute talent shortage in Switzerland.
Keystone
Switzerland’s talent shortage is more pronounced in 2018, a new survey has found. Technical, financial, and medical professions are most affected, while job seekers in the hospitality, retail, and administrative sectors face the greatest competition.
These are the results of the 2018 Skills Shortage IndexExternal link compiled by The Adecco Group Switzerland in collaboration with the University of Zurich’s Job Market Monitor. The annual index compares the number of vacancies in occupations to the number of job seekers.
In the past year, the index rose 9% for engineering and natural sciences professions and 8% for IT professions, where companies are struggling to find enough qualified staff. The finance and fiduciary sectors (e.g. auditors) are also facing shortages but remain stable.
Healthcare professions also had higher skills shortages than the average, continuing a growing trend of the past two years. Doctors, especially, are in short supply across Switzerland; in German-speaking Switzerland there is a particular lack of qualified midwives and nurses. Caregiver and home care positions are easier to fill.
Companies can address these gaps by improving hiring practices including offering more attractive salaries.
“If they are still unable to fill positions, however, they will be forced to look for qualified specialists abroad. In the long term, companies would do well to invest more in the training and further education of their current and potential future employees,” said Helen Buchs from the Swiss Job Market Monitor at the University of Zurich.
Those sectors with an oversupply of candidates include hospitality and personal services, where there are significantly more job seekers than advertised vacancies. “As a result of the comparatively high rate of staff fluctuations in these professions, this then leads to increased competition between specialists,” added Buchs.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Heimatort, sweet Heimatort: the unique Swiss concept of home
As a Swiss Abroad, how do you feel about the emergence of more conservative family policies in some US states?
In recent years several US states have adopted more conservative policies on family issues, abortion and education. As a Swiss citizen living there, how do you view this development?
What factors should be taken into account when inheriting Swiss citizenship abroad?
Should there be a limit to the passing on of Swiss citizenship? Or is the current practice too strict and it should still be possible to register after the age of 25?
This content was published on
French and Swiss armoured and artillery units will train together to strengthen the defence capabilities of the Swiss army.
Harmful substances in particulate matter underestimated: Swiss research
This content was published on
Measurements significantly underestimate the amount of harmful substances in particulate matter, says an international research team under Swiss leadership.
Switzerland reopens its humanitarian office in Kabul
This content was published on
Switzerland opened its humanitarian office in Kabul in mid-March to provide targeted aid to the Afghan population in distress.
This content was published on
From Wednesday, a Swiss passport will no longer be sufficient to enter the UK - Swiss travellers will also need an electronic travel authorisation.
This content was published on
A German security expert could imagine Swiss soldiers being part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine after an eventual ceasefire.
Leading Swiss politician favours closer EU defence ties
This content was published on
Co-president of Swiss centre-left Social Democratic Party calls on Switzerland to step up security cooperation in Europe.
Could new immigrants threaten jobs of older construction workers?
This content was published on
The Swiss construction industry is one of the few sectors that employs large numbers of foreigners in low-skilled jobs and has high unemployment.
A third of Swiss companies have difficulty filling vacancies
This content was published on
A shortage of skilled labour continues to affect the Swiss job market, according to the latest survey by employment agency Manpower.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
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.