A new report by the European Commission has highlighted the EU’s struggle to meet up demands of the labour market, with various sectors like construction, healthcare, and STEM, having been the most affected in 2022.
The report, called the Commission’s Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE), amongst others lists several solutions to this problem, recommending that one of the ways to tackle the absence of workers in key sectors across all Member States is also promoting targeted labour migration from non-EU countries in specific skills groups.
It also recalls that the Commission has already taken steps in this direction by launching an EU Talent Pool pilot, helping to match people’s skills with job offers, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.
“Attracting people from outside the EU with the skills needed is also among the main objectives of the European Year of Skills, and the Commission will present an initiative to improve the recognition of qualifications of non-EU nationals and roll out talent partnerships with selected non-EU partner countries,” the Commission points out in a press release issued regarding the report.
Other solutions to the problem recommended in the same report include investing in adult learning and skills development and training programs, matching people’s education, their experience and skills, tackling the gap in gender employment, motivating young and older people to participate more in the labour market, and removing barriers to entering the workforce.
It also suggests improving working conditions and paying in certain jobs to attract and retain workers, as well as the financial incentives for work.
The report sheds light on the fact that participation of women, lower-educated people, people with a migrant background, as well as older and young people is also an important contributor to the labour shortages throughout Europe.
According to the EURES Report on labour shortages and surpluses 2022, launched last March by the European Labour Authority, the top ten shortage occupations in the EU are:
- Bricklayers and related workers
- Carpenters and joiners
- Heavy truck and lorry drivers
- Metal working machine tool setters and operators
- Nursing professionals
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Building and related electricians
- Welders and flame cutters
- Concrete placers, concrete finishers and related workers
- Sheet metal workers
On the other hand, professions like graphic and multi-media designers, journalists, photographers, shop sale assistants, interior designers and decorators are in surplus, which means there are more people with such professions that the labour market needs.
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