Many job openings, few job seekers: SMEs expect a shortage of skilled workers

Two thirds of SMEs planning to hire skilled workers in the next three years expect to face recruitment difficulties. That is significantly more than in 2014. A worrying trend is that the causes of the problem are clearly shifting towards a skills shortage. SMEs are increasingly concerned about not finding suitable candidates in the occupations needed. Other causes, such as lack of additional qualifications or excessively high wage demands, are fading into the background. Labour force participation rates, skilled migration and continuing education investment should (continue to) rise in order to prevent skills shortages.

Many job openings, few job seekers: SMEs expect a shortage of skilled workers(PDF, 294 KB, non-accessible)