Despite inflation, the energy crisis and the economic slowdown: 41 percent of Swiss companies want to hire staff in the near future. On the other hand, only 16 percent plan to lay off. That’s according to the most recent quarterly survey released Thursday by staffing firm Manpower Group.
“Employment prospects are still positive,” Jan Jacob, head of Manpower Group Switzerland, told the AWP news agency. In fact, compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, when the survey was last conducted, the intention to hire employees slightly increased.
Slowdown in some industries
But there are also signs of “a certain slowdown,” according to Jacob. Compared to the previous quarter, employment prospects worsened in three out of nine sectors of the economy. This is particularly evident in the area of ’consumer goods and services’, which includes, for example, retailing. The trend is also falling in the life sciences sector. “The layoffs announced by a large Swiss pharmaceutical company must have an impact here,” says Jacob.
On the other hand, according to the research, the information and logistics sectors are booming. However, employment prospects are also good in the industry, which is often the first to feel the slowdown in key export markets.
Jacob explains the generally positive expectations regarding the shortage of skilled workers. “This has expanded quite a lot.” Many apprenticeship occupations have staff shortages. The situation is exacerbated by low immigration and the retirement of the baby boomer generation.
Immigration alone does not help
When it comes to immigration, Jacob doesn’t expect the trend to reverse anytime soon. The pandemic has changed the scale of values. “Fewer people are willing to leave the familiar environment for a higher salary.” Still, Jacob believes immigration is crucial to keeping the Swiss economy functioning.
Another recipe for the skilled worker shortage is the inclusion of the 55+ generation. “Older workers are actually in much greater demand again, as recent statistics show.” The measures taken against the skilled worker shortage are flexible working models. In-house training academies are also a trend.
According to the survey, there are no signs of a decline in the Swiss labor market due to a shortage of skilled workers. But Jacob acknowledged that an economic downturn could change the positive outlook. “Things will look worse if GDP growth drops well below 1 percent.”
According to the information obtained, more than 500 employers were interviewed for the Manpower Group survey. (SDA/kae)