SWISS SKILLS SHORTAGE INDEX Q1 2018
Skills shortage in fiduciary occupations also most acute in western Switzerland and Ticino
Similar to Switzerland as a whole, in the first quarter of 2018 fiduciary professions ranked number one in the skills shortage index for the French-, Italian- and Romansh-speaking regions of Switzerland (western Switzerland and Ticino). This means that while employment prospects are excellent for job-seekers in this job group, companies in the fiduciary sector are experiencing difficulties finding suitable personnel to fill their vacancies.
The skills shortage is also high in technical professions. Nicole Burth commented: “It is very difficult for companies to fill such vacancies. Unfortunately, there still aren’t enough women completing education in classic MINT occupations (maths, information technology, science and technology).”
Engineering jobs are in third place, while fourth place is held by medical and pharmaceutical professions. Although slightly less pronounced than in the previous year, there is still an acute doctor shortage, and many hospitals and practices are searching very actively for qualified staff.
IT professions are in fifth place. The specialist shortage in these sectors has also worsened in comparison to the previous year’s first quarter. An unemployed individual will currently find more vacant positions than one year ago.
The final spot in the skills shortage rankings in non-German-speaking Switzerland consists of occupations in textile manufacturing, printing and warehousing – similar to Switzerland as a whole. “Due to automation and production outsourcing abroad, there are hardly any employment prospects in this sector. The majority of the workforce should therefore undertake retraining and perhaps even learn a new trade,” said Helen Buchs from the University of Zurich’s Swiss Job Market Monitor.
RANKINGS
Switzerland
Top 5
- Fiduciary
- Technicians
- Engineers
- Medicine and pharmaceutical
- Information technology (IT)
German-speaking Switzerland
Top 5
- Technicians
- Fiduciary
- Medicine and pharmaceutical
- Engineers
- Information technology (IT)
Western Switzerland and Ticino
Top 5
- Fiduciary
- Technicians
- Engineers
- Medicine and pharmaceutical
- Information technology (IT)
Comprehensive study of Switzerland’s skills shortage coming in November
A comprehensive study of the skills shortage in Switzerland will be published in November 2018. The occupational groups at the bottom of the rankings correspond to the list of job types affected by the job registration requirement. The November edition will contain a ranking list for each linguistic region along with detailed analyses. The skills shortage will be displayed separately for the six largest regions in Switzerland. In addition, the analyses will illustrate the chronological development of the skills shortages in 11 occupational groups.
