Job Index Q3 2026
Job Index Q3 2026: Swiss labour market stabilises and job vacancies in skilled trades and technical professions are on the rise
The Swiss labour market is showing the first positive signs in the third quarter of 2026: the number of job vacancies has increased slightly both compared with the previous quarter and year on year. This edition focuses on skilled trades and technical professions, where job vacancies have shown particularly strong long-term growth.
Sources: KOF Konjunkturforschungsstelle (KOF Employment Indicator), Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft (SECO; real GDP), Stellenmarkt Monitor Schweiz (SMM; Adecco Group Swiss Job Market Index).
The labour market showed a modest recovery in the third quarter of 2026. The Adecco Group Swiss Job Market Index increased by 0.8%, both compared with the previous quarter (Q2 2026) and the same quarter of the previous year (Q3 2025). The KOF Employment Indicator also points to a slight increase in companies’ willingness to hire. Meanwhile, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged at 3.1% in August compared with the previous month.
SECO revised its 2026 growth forecast from 0.9% to 1.7%, following an exceptionally strong second quarter driven by the export-oriented chemical and pharmaceutical industry. This development was supported by the cyclical recovery of the global economy.
Growth, Skills Shortages and Low AI Risk in Skilled Trades and Technical Professions
The current study focus examines labour market developments in skilled trades and technical professions. The findings highlight the following trends:
Strong growth in job vacancies: Since 2015/16, the number of open positions in skilled trades and technical professions has increased by 131%, more than four times the growth recorded by the overall job vacancy index (+30%). The strongest growth was observed among building and finishing trades workers (+173%, including sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and carpenters/joiners) and electricians/electronics technicians (+134%, including construction electricians and related occupations).
Concentrated growth, partly driven by construction: Across all five sub-groups, much of the increase is concentrated in a relatively small number of occupations, including sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and motor vehicle mechanics. This growth may be attributable in part to strong activity in the construction sector and in part to other factors such as demographic ageing and related replacement demand.
Skills shortages easing despite continued demand: Since 2023, skills shortages in skilled trades and technical professions have eased, even though demand remains high. Among the five sub-groups, only electricians/electronics technicians (ranked 4th) and polymechanics/motor vehicle mechanics (ranked 5th) remain in the shortage or near-shortage range, while other sub-groups continue to experience strong demand without comparable shortages.
Low risk of AI-driven automation: Only around one quarter of skilled trades and technical professions are considered to face a moderate risk of automation, while just 2% are classified as being at high risk of AI-driven automation.
The findings underline that skilled trades and technical professions continue to offer robust employment prospects despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Sustained demand, demographic replacement needs and low exposure to AI-driven automation reinforce their importance to the Swiss labour market.
Commenting on the latest developments, Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, said:
“Skilled trades and technical professions continue to offer strong prospects, even in a challenging economic environment. High demand and limited exposure to AI-driven substitution provide a solid outlook for the future. At the same time, employers and employees alike must be prepared for technological change, geopolitical developments and economic shifts that continue to reshape labour market conditions.”
More details can be found in the study report available in French or German below.
The current study focus examines labour market developments in skilled trades and technical professions. The findings highlight the following trends:
Strong growth in job vacancies: Since 2015/16, the number of open positions in skilled trades and technical professions has increased by 131%, more than four times the growth recorded by the overall job vacancy index (+30%). The strongest growth was observed among building and finishing trades workers (+173%, including sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and carpenters/joiners) and electricians/electronics technicians (+134%, including construction electricians and related occupations).
Concentrated growth, partly driven by construction: Across all five sub-groups, much of the increase is concentrated in a relatively small number of occupations, including sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and motor vehicle mechanics. This growth may be attributable in part to strong activity in the construction sector and in part to other factors such as demographic ageing and related replacement demand.
Skills shortages easing despite continued demand: Since 2023, skills shortages in skilled trades and technical professions have eased, even though demand remains high. Among the five sub-groups, only electricians/electronics technicians (ranked 4th) and polymechanics/motor vehicle mechanics (ranked 5th) remain in the shortage or near-shortage range, while other sub-groups continue to experience strong demand without comparable shortages.
Low risk of AI-driven automation: Only around one quarter of skilled trades and technical professions are considered to face a moderate risk of automation, while just 2% are classified as being at high risk of AI-driven automation.
The findings underline that skilled trades and technical professions continue to offer robust employment prospects despite ongoing economic uncertainty. Sustained demand, demographic replacement needs and low exposure to AI-driven automation reinforce their importance to the Swiss labour market.
Commenting on the latest developments, Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, said:
“Skilled trades and technical professions continue to offer strong prospects, even in a challenging economic environment. High demand and limited exposure to AI-driven substitution provide a solid outlook for the future. At the same time, employers and employees alike must be prepared for technological change, geopolitical developments and economic shifts that continue to reshape labour market conditions.”
More details can be found in the study report available in French or German below.