About 75% of companies across 21 European nations reported having trouble finding qualified candidates in 2023. This increased by 33 percentage points from 42% in 2018 to this level. The need for qualified personnel does not appear to decrease anytime soon.
Based on several assessments, skill shortages are becoming a major concern for businesses worldwide. According to a reputed source, recruiting workers with the necessary skills was one of the biggest problems facing 54% of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (EU) in 2023.
Additionally, three out of four employers in 21 European nations reported having trouble finding the necessary skills, according to the research. In 2018, it was 42%, which means that in the previous five years, it has increased by 79% or 33 percentage points.
The study, which was conducted in October 2023, indicated that a major global issue is the lack of talent. As the demand for talented personnel grows, the MD of Dynamic Staffing Services, Mr Varun Khosla, stated that “Figures in our annual Talent Shortage survey increased dramatically.”
Nations throughout Europe were also affected by the scarcity. Varying from 59% in Finland to 82% in Germany and Greece, 75% of employers in 21 European nations said they had trouble filling positions.
There is a shortage of skilled professionals in Europe to fill new or existing positions, as evidenced by the declining unemployment rate. In addition, the skills and talent inequalities that exist now are made worse by Europe’s aging population and the worldwide drop in birth rates.
Germany has a more severe talent figure shortage than Finland, which is partially explained by this. Finding competent workers became more difficult in 2023 when Finland’s unemployment rate was 7.0% and Germany’s was 3.0%.
The average for these nations in 2018 was a mere 42%, ranging from 18% in Ireland to 81% in Romania. Employers who were unable to locate the necessary skills saw a significant increase between 2018 and 2023, with Romania being the exception.
Notable increase in France, Spain, the UK, and Ireland
In France, Spain, the UK, and Ireland, this increase was greater than 50 percentage points. In Ireland, it ranged from 18% to 81%, whereas in the UK, it was between 19% and 80%. Furthermore, in the Netherlands (47 pp), Norway (44 pp), Switzerland (40 pp), Belgium (39 pp), and Italy (38 pp), the increase exceeded the European average.
Additional Read: The Departure of More than 500,000 Workers Put the UK Economy in Danger
Staff shortage: A serious problem in Europe
The survey, conducted in late 2023, provides full insights into the worker shortage. Finding workers with the necessary abilities was ranked as one of the top three most important issues for 54% of SMEs in the EU.
Belgium had 68%, while Turkey had 28%. Out of 34 countries, 20 had a percentage of at least 50%, demonstrating the widespread and severe nature of the talent gap. Regulatory barriers or administrative load came in second (34%), and this was by far the most common major issue that businesses reported.
Most Needed Technician
A third of SMEs had technician positions. However, they frequently face a lack of personnel with technical training, such as technicians and lab workers. Nearly half (42%) of SMEs in Europe mentioned technical shortages. This shows a severe lack of abilities in this particular professional role.
According to 23% of respondents, there is a skills shortage for positions in SMEs that employ customer service experts. Reps, salespeople, client advisers, and other staff members are included in this function.
Principal Causes of the Skills Gap
According to a recent poll, when asked what the primary causes of their talent shortages were, businesses in the EU typically responded that there were either few or no applications.
In Belgium, it was 73%, whereas in Sweden, it was 18%. This was the main contributing cause. Even though Norway and Denmark were almost the average, the other Nordic nations all reported lower numbers than the EU average regarding the lack of candidates. Slightly higher levels were seen among the EU’s “Big Four”: Germany, France, Spain, and the UK.
Employers cited a shortage of applications as their primary cause (54%), closely followed by applicants’ lack of experience, credentials, or abilities. Given how pervasive the problem of a skills shortage has become, it varied across the EU, from 41% in France to 70% in Estonia. Both indicators showed lower numbers for the UK than for the EU average.
Why is there a Growing Lack of Manpower and Expertise? Interconnected Difficulties
Since nearly ten years ago, the EU Commission has emphasised that there is a growing shortage of workforce and skilled workers in every member state. Changes in the working environment, technical advancements, and the need for new skills due to demographic shifts are mostly responsible for these shortages.
“People with the necessary soft and technical skills are hard to come by in 2023 due to the tight labour market,” the statement reads. Every business leader should prioritise investing in upskilling, reskilling, and getting people ready for the occupations of the future. These initiatives have grown in importance over time.
The EU working-age population fell from 269 million in 2012 to 264 million in 2021. Business Europe, based in Brussels, released a research titled “Analysis of Labour and Skills Shortages” that projects an additional 35 million deaths by 2050. The report highlights the interconnectedness of these concerns.
It was discovered that one of the other factors contributing to the lack of suitably skilled workers is the curriculum’s inadequate orientation towards the labour market’s demands.
The Talent Shortage Survey’s methodology was modified for 2022 from a phone-based to an online approach. According to the report, the largest increase from 45% to 69% occurred prior to this methodological modification, even though methodology changes can affect findings.
It is evident from reading about the skills gap in job seekers and the EU jobs crisis that the labour market is getting more difficult and competitive for both employers and job seekers. As a staffing agency, Dynamic Staffing Services can assist in bridging this gap by offering employers exceptionally qualified and competent people who have the required training and work experience.
Additionally, we can help job seekers by providing them with access to job opportunities that match their skills and career goals. Our team of professionals can assist both employers and job seekers in navigating the job market and finding the right match. If you are interested, get in touch with us at enquiry@dss-hr.com or +91-11-40410000 to learn more about our services.
Visit our Website: Dynamic Staffing Services.
