There is no longer a profession that does not suffer from a shortage of personnel. This is reported by the UWV benefits agency based on new figures.
For the study, the UWV looked at 92 professional groups. Earlier this year, a number of them had not yet suffered from staff shortages. It involved tour guides, painters and metal sprayers, construction workers and drivers. These professions also appear to be faced with a shortage of workers.
It is now the case for as many as 75 percent of all professional groups that they have to deal with a very tight labor market. The biggest shortage is among engineers, electricians, machine technicians, nurses and software developers.
According to the survey, the number of job vacancies in the second quarter grew by 44 percent compared to a year earlier, while the number of people on unemployment benefits who recently worked decreased by 31 percent in the same period. In short: there are considerably more vacancies and fewer people to fill the positions.
The shortage on the labor market is already twice as great as a year earlier. The shortage is increasingly starting to have a negative effect on the economy and prosperity, the benefits agency points out. For example, due to the staff shortage, some companies are forced to close their doors (earlier), train rides are cancelled, there are longer waiting times at Schiphol or catering guests have to be patient.
“Not to mention facilities such as healthcare and education, which are coming under increasing pressure due to the continuing shortage of nurses and teachers,” adds Frank Verduijn, labor market advisor at UWV.
Extreme shapes
The growing shortage is making it increasingly difficult for employers to find new people, Verduijn notes. Traditional recruitment methods often fail. A number of employers are trying with more intensive recruitment or other recruitment channels. Companies also sometimes offer a higher salary or come directly with a permanent contract. But now that the number of job seekers is so low, those options don’t always seem to work either.
“As the supply of available candidates dries up, retaining and further developing existing staff becomes increasingly important,” said the UWV labor market adviser. According to him, this can be achieved by offering permanent staff sufficient development and challenges, but also by putting vitality, working conditions, working hours and work pressure higher on the agenda. “Those kinds of things are essential to bind and captivate employees.”
UWV also advises employers to look at candidates differently. Someone who at first sight may not seem to be eligible for a position, can be made suitable with extra effort or retraining.
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