Switzerland must deal with the problem of staff shortages. Although the situation has improved over a year, the labor market still presents tensions, more or less strong depending on the sector, Adecco said on Thursday.
The economic weakening experienced in 2024 has made it possible to ease some of the pressure on the labor market, explains the personnel placement specialist.
In fact, the staff shortage index has decreased by 18% compared to 2023. Most trades have benefited from this appeasement, in particular IT. However, the labor shortage remains greater than before the pandemic.
In 2023, the strong post-Covid recovery caused significant tensions on the labor market, with a 24% increase in the index. At the current level, however, the latter has approached the value recorded in 2022.
In 2024, Adecco notes that the relaxation of tension was observed on both sides of the constituent elements of the index. The number of positions published fell by 7% and the unemployment rate increased to 2.4%, after 2.0% in 2023.
Among the sectors most affected by the staff shortage, we find the health professions in first position, although the situation has eased compared to the previous year. Then comes construction with various functions, such as site managers, foremen and production managers, and electricians. IT specialists only come in seventh position, whereas they were on second place in 2023.
In the IT sector, the easing of pressure could be linked to the use of artificial intelligence, which, according to a study by Bain & Company, can increase productivity by up to 30%.
Weakness in watchmaking
By region, the decline in the staff shortage index was more marked in German Switzerland (-19%) than in French-speaking Switzerland and Ticino (-15%). The number of people looking for work increased by 14% respectively in the first and 11% in the second, while the number of vacancies fell by 8% and 5% in these two regions.
In the cantons of Geneva, Valais, Vaud and Ticino, the index revealed excess demand for work in high crafts trades, which notably include watchmaking. If there is more demand than supply in these professions, it is because this sector is “shaky” due to a general weakening of demand, illustrated by the drop in watch exports, in the words of Sébastien Katz , responsible for this sector at Adecco.
Of the 32 types of positions listed, 28 benefited from an improvement in the situation regarding the labor shortage and three experienced stable development. Specialists in specific services, such as night watchmen, police officers or tourist guides, are the only professional segment where the labor shortage has worsened. This is due to various international events in 2024 as well as the increasing focus on security due to rising terrorist threats.
This article was automatically published. Sources: ats/awp
