Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

How should we tackle the shortage of skilled workers in Switzerland?

Hosted by: Samuel Jaberg

Like many other countries, Switzerland is facing a major shortage of skilled workers. During the first quarter of 2022,  the authorities registered 100,000 vacancies.

What do you think can be done to solve this problem? Are you also affected in your company or your area of work? Tell us about your experiences.

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Bruno Barde
Bruno Barde

Major shortage of skilled workers in Canada, driving high imigrations and lack of housing.
This drives higher rents and property prices.
Also political issue like in the US.

Lacroix Elena
Lacroix Elena
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

A logical and normal course of action would be to invest massively in vocational training for young people, encouraging them to pursue careers that provide work, rather than long university studies at a time when high qualifications in all - or almost all - trades are in short supply.
The 42/45-hour week was commonplace in the past, and will have to be revived one day if Switzerland is to break the employment deadlock. The days of vacations, vacations and travel are coming to an end, and the leisure society is a thing of the past.

Une piste logique et normale serait d'investir massivement dans la formation professionnelle des jeunes, les encourager dans les filières pourvoyeuses de travail, plutôt que les études universitaires longues alors que les hautes qualifications dans tous - ou presque - les métiers sont déficitaires.
La semaine de 42/45 heures était chose courante, il faudra bien un jour y revenir si la Suisse veut sortir de l'impasse en matière d'emploi. Les temps des congés, vacances, voyages arrivent à leur terme, la société des loisirs appartient au passé.

Salmon-Lake-Thun
Salmon-Lake-Thun
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hello,
My son studied computer science at the University of Montreal (a recognized university in this field!). He sent in 80 CVs and got NO interviews in the whole of French-speaking Switzerland. Companies want the 5-legged sheep: young (so cheap!) with 20 years' experience!
He has a great job in a Canadian fund that manages the equivalent of chf350 billion, world leader in PE and infrastructure investments. You could say we don't deserve the success we're having. My son is Swiss, by the way.

Bonjour,
Mon fils a fait des etudes d'informatiques à l'Université de Montreal (université reconnue dans ce domaine !). Il a envoyé 80cv et n'a obtenu AUCUNE interview dans toute la Suisse romande. Les sociétés veulent le mouton à 5 pattes: jeune (donc pas cher!) avec 20 ans d'expérience !
Il a un super poste dans un fonds canadien qui gere l'équivalent de chf350 milliards, leader mondial dans les investissements en PE et infrastructures. On peut dire qu'on ne merite pas le succès que l'on a. Je precise que mon fils est suisse

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

The service and public sector is sick. Its slogans: big salaries, little work, lots of vacations and vacations. Two employees for the sake of one.
This disease is spreading dangerously to the primary and secondary sectors, with the effects of rising living costs that are unbearable for the middle class.

Le secteur tertiaire et public est malade . Ses slogans : gros salaires, peu de travail, beaucoup de congés et vacances . Deux employés pour en avoir un à disposition.
Cette maladie, se transmet dangereusement dans les secteurs primaires et secondaires, avec des effets de croissances des coûts de la vie insupportable pour la classe moyenne.

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Imported demographics are no longer sustainable. The very high rate of inhabitants per km2 is destroying our country's climate. Too many people, too many cars, requiring more and more staff. Too many people in the tertiary sector (50% non-essential) and too few young people in useful professions. Cruel lack of productive land for our local food supply: only 50% of food needs. We are emptying Africa and other countries of their inhabitants, to accumulate them in Europe. Your short-term view is leading us to disaster.

La démographie importée n'est plus supportable. Le taux très élevé d'habitants au km2 , détruit le climat de notre Pays. Trop de monde, de voitures, nécessitant toujours plus de personnel. Trop de personnel dans le secteur tertiaire, ( non indispensable à 50 % ) et manque de jeunes dans les professions utiles. Manque cruel de surfaces productives pour notre alimentation de proximité: seulement 50 % des besoins alimentaires. On vide l'Afrique et d'autres Pays de leurs habitants, pour les accumuler en Europe. Votre vue à court terme nous mène au désastre.

Helga Helga
Helga Helga
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

I believe that it is necessary to accept refugees from Ukraine to solve the problem of labor shortage. They are all well educated, willing to work and have good work experience.

Ich glaube, dass es notwendig ist, Flüchtlinge aus der Ukraine aufzunehmen, um das Problem des Arbeitskräftemangels zu lösen. Sie sind alle gut ausgebildet, arbeitswillig und verfügen über gute Berufserfahrung.

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Helga Helga

I think that Ukraine needs qualified people to restore the country. Impoverishing some to enrich others is not the solution.

Je pense que l'Ukraine, a besoin de personnes qualifiées pour la remise en état du Pays. Appauvrir certains pour enrichir d'autres, n'est pas la solution.

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Helga Helga

I think they are more useful in Ukraine. Rebuilding the country and getting it back into shape will require a lot of people. In Switzerland, four-day work weeks and paternity leave are not going to solve the labor shortage problem. This will increase the cost of living, which will be unbearable for the middle class. Low-income earners are helped by taxpayers. The service sector and the cities are destroying our economy.

Je pense qu'ils sont plus utiles en Ukraine. La reconstruction et la remise en forme du Pays nécessitera du monde . En Suisse, ce n'est pas avec des semaines de quatre jours et tous ces congés paternités que l'on va résoudre les problèmes du manque de main-d’œuvre. Cela va renchérir le coût de la vie , insupportable pour la classe moyenne. Les classe de bas revenus étant aidées par les contribuables. Le secteur tertiaire et les Villes détruisent notre économie.

Lacroix Elena
Lacroix Elena
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Helga Helga

But what about when they get home? Isn't it like stripping one to dress the other?

Sans doute mais quid lorsqu'ils rentreront chez eux ? N'est ce pas dépouiller l'un pour habiller l'autre ?

Salmon-Lake-Thun
Salmon-Lake-Thun

My son (Swiss) studied computer science in Montreal. Upon completion of his BA he sent approx 100 cv's to various swiss companies. Most of them never even replied and the others were looking for young professionals with vast experience !!!
He is now working in Canada for a fund managing chf350 billions with hughe opportunities.

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Salmon-Lake-Thun

The Swiss public sector isn't too keen on talented, experienced people. Here, we could save jobs and reduce the administrative burden on companies. The aim: lower taxes to improve the lives of the middle class.

Le secteur public suisse ne désire pas trop les personnes douées et expérimentées. Là, on pourrait économiser des postes de travail et diminuer la charge administrative des entreprises. But : baisser les impôts pour améliorer la vie de la classe moyenne.

Patrick Cecconi
Patrick Cecconi

I believe that in the near future we may get some help on this front from the rise of artificial intelligence that will enhance productivity, which is the lever Swiss companies have used in the past when confronted with falling competitiveness due to external or internal factors. I also have the impression that the regional employment offices are not doing a good job at matching employment needs and the skills available on our soil, once you drop out of the official unemployment statistics (i.e. you fall into assistance) you are basically forgotten! I feel little is being done to help those people go back "on the saddle again". This is no small pool of workers, it would reduce the strain on public finances and would make life much better for this people.

Petrica
Petrica

Think Switzerland need to look inside because they are a lot of professional for jobs in CH after the collapse of a few international companies.
Nevertheless, the disadvantage is that most recruitment companies are not prepared to understand what professional technical skills they look for and see (a shortage of skilled workers). I believe this is totally wrong. They are many qualified and very educated CH personnel searching for a job.
These recruitment companies must first challenge the internal workforce and stop looking for an external one. Hearings 50 + you have an advantage in technical knowledge and skills, curiosity and creativity that you may not find in the other classes.
I think the government need to deal with this problem and be more engaged in protecting the internal workforce before searching for a new entry.

ssp37097
ssp37097

Think about it Herr Jaberg. You are asking a question but not giving an facts or definitions on which to base the solution(s)....perhaps right there is a clue to what is wrong with the shortage?
You did not which industries require these skilled workers. You did not define what kind of skills and qualifications. You did not define wat kind of work. And most egregiously of all you dont give any credible numbers on which your question is based! For god's sake, man! You have not povided an argument as to why you think Switzerland deserves more of these "skilled workers" any more than any other country on Earth which also likewise relies on skilled workers for its respective functioning!!

No wonder this whole thread is just a click-bait! Without any background information, people are commenting on all sorts of things without knowing what skills and what workers are needed!

What kind of intellectual debate is that? All you have done is to generate clicks for SWI....and invite the xenophobes to a venue to vent their frustration with foreigners? And vice versa. None of that answers the question that you posed! So, why did you bother opening a forum on this topic??

Nicoleta
Nicoleta
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

I don't think Switzerland takes the trouble to train Swiss people.
The ORP WHEN YOU ARE OVER 45 DOESN'T OFFER YOU ANY TRAINING!
They complain that we don't have slave labor and low wages.
How do you expect us to cope with our insurance premiums, for which we don't even have PHYSICIANS!
Suva, la retraite populaire, groupe mutuel, assura and many others who live WELL AND SAFE ON THE BACKS OF TAXPAYERS AND WHO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR VAT FOR THEIR COFFEE AND THEIR TAXES!..!
Obviously they must pay them to the Swiss citizens the salary ADÉQUAT TO SOUBVENIR to the need for REQUEST FOR BILLS TO PAY IN ADDITION SERAFE, pay for a radio that makes only ADVERTISEMENT MORE TO MEDICAMENTS
TV AND MEDIA BOUGHT BY ADS!
We choose not to listen to or watch TV and radio!

Je trouve que la Suisse se donne pas de la peine à former des Suisses.
L’ORP LORSQUE VOUS AVEZ PLUS DE 45 Ans ne vous proposent PLUS AUCUNE FORMATION!
On se plaignent que nous n’avons pas de main d’œuvre esclave et mal payer.
Comment voulez vous qu’ont fassent face au primes de nos assurances pour lequel nous n’avons même pas DES MÉDECINS!
Suva, la retraite populaire, groupe mutuel, assura et pleins d’autres qui vivent BELLE ET BIEN SÛR LE DOS DE CONTRIBUABLES ET QUI CONTINUENT À PAYER SON TVA POUR SON CAFÉ ET CES IMPÔTS!!!
Évidemment ils faut les payer aux citoyens Suisses le salaire ADÉQUAT POUR SOUBVENIR au besoin de DEMANDENT DE FACTURES A PAYER EN PLUS SERAFE, payer pour une radio qui fait que de la PUB DE PLUS AUX MEDICAMENTS
UNE TELE ET UNE MEDIA ACHETER PAR LES PUBS !
On choisit de ne plus ecouter ni regarder la tv et la radio!

Nicoleta
Nicoleta
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Why don't they train us in these trades that are in short supply?

Pourquoi ont nous forme pas dans ces métiers qui ont une pénurie?

YERLY
YERLY
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Nicoleta

Because people think it's important to be able to say: my children are at UNI, not my children love nature and farming or other manual trades. On top of that, the question of salaries runs counter to what we're looking for. Exepter Coop and Migros, who have too much contempt for the work of our country's producers, and can easily raise wages.

Parce qu'au vue des gens, il est important de pouvoir dire : mes enfants sont à l'UNI, et non mes enfants adorent la nature et l'agriculture ou autres métiers manuels. En plus , la question des salaires qui va à contre sens de ce que nous cherchons. Exepter Coop et Migros , qui méprisent trop le travail des producteurs de notre Pays , et peuvent facilement augmenter les salaires.

Thanh Danh Le
Thanh Danh Le

Most people on this thread asking for training them. But it takes so much time, effort, and money to train a person. It can take several years to train people to be engineers, doctors, lawyers, computer scientists, bankers, accountants, etc. And not everyone has the ability to study these kinds of stuff. Statistically, only "44% of people in Switzerland aged 25–64 have a tertiary level qualification (university or higher vocational education)".

That is why it is difficult for companies to find candidates as the Swiss economy is an advanced one. They need well-trained people, not amateurs. They should train people who have relevant degrees so that it takes them only a few months to work efficiently instead of a few years. Time, effort, and money are matters.

Well-educated immigrants are the answer to the shortage. Just like other advanced economies like Japan, South Korea, Germany, Canada, Australia, etc. If Switzerland wants to continue to grow they need more immigrants, not only for the sustainability of the Swiss economy, but also for the stability of pension funds.

Nicoleta
Nicoleta
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Thanh Danh Le

FALSE.
You say to close imigrant on whose money?
It's still us who have to subsidize these additional training courses to teach them the language, that doesn't take time and money Dear Sir?

Enough of doing what you want with taxpayers' money.

Stop wanting cheap labor!

FAUX.
Vous dites de fermer des imigrant sur l’ argent de qui?
C est encore nous que nous devons soubventionner ces formations de plus a leurs apprendre la langue , cela ca ne prend pas du Temp et de l argent Cher Monsieur?

Assez de faire ce que vous voulez avec l’ argent Publique de Contribuables .

Arrêtez de vouloir de la main d’œuvres à BAS PRIX !

Aliaksandr Straltsou
Aliaksandr Straltsou

How should we tackle the shortage of skilled workers? Maybe, first of all, we should write clear articles, that mention wage, wage raise, include point of view of unemployed mechanics as well as the company, and why cannot they go and work there. Numbers, numbers are kings! No numbers in the article, except 10M likely lost revenue. Well, that would translate to some 500K+ lost profit, and the company just doesn't want to invest these money into training new workers period.

Samuel Jaberg
Samuel Jaberg SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Aliaksandr Straltsou

Thank you for your contribution. This is a discussion where we briefly present a topic and ask for the opinion of our users, so we do not give detailed information. You can find more information on this topic in [url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/why-switzerland-needs-workers-from-abroad/46694984]our dossier[/url] about the shortage of skilled labor.

Merci pour votre contribution. Il s'agit d'un débat où nous présentons brièvement un sujet et demandons l'avis de nos utilisateurs et utilisatrices, nous ne donnons donc pas d'informations détaillées. Vous trouverez plus d'informations sur ce sujet dans [url=https://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/why-switzerland-needs-workers-from-abroad/46694984]notre dossier[/url] consacré à la pénurie de main-'d'oeuvre qualifiée.

Frodo
Frodo

In Switzerland are more than 200'000 people redundant.
https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/arbeit-erwerb/erhebungen/els-ilo.assetdetail.24065513.html
More than 80'000 job positions are open, probably less if several headhunters publish the same job just with a different location.
So, the companies can select the work force. What is the real problem for the shortage?

Is the leadership in some locations so awefull that no one is willing to work there?
Or are the 200'000 "slaves" of the "health economic" and keeped disable to work?
Or do the 200'000 people not fit into the agenda 2025/2030/2050 and so been separated from the economic?

Rares Dan
Rares Dan

One of the problems is the fact that no company has the interest or desire to educate the potential employee both professionally and educationally (from the language point of view). All entrepreneurs want people with training and the language learned at home. Another problem would be the selection of companies on the Swiss labor market that do not actually pay the employee, and here I am referring to entrepreneurs from Eastern Europe who have a reputation for scammers. The same problem still persists in Germany and Austria, countries that are not flexible at all, in which a language other than German is NOT spoken even if you are a professional in the field in which you work. Is it possible to observe a vicious circle?

LoL
LoL

Real work offers? I see so many offers which combine 2 and sometimes even 3 postiint in 1, with 1 titile and 60-80% of involvement. Yet in interview when asked the scope of task it is enormous, impossible to finish in 80%. And the salary is around 4,500. Its laughable.

Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen
Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen

Affordable housing has been identified here in the "American Alps" as the missing link for attracting and sustaining the workers we need. So yes we are affected similarly, except that we also need to continue developing urban style recreational venues and events, because our potential labor increasingly comes from cities. We rely largely on philanthropy to obtain the necessary real estate. For instance we need to buy land owned by the Houbs family of Germany. They, like our potential workers, were originally attracted here by our scenery, but the Houbs family and our labor supply is changing.
- Eric Burr & Margrit Broennimann, Mazama WA USA and Canton Bern

Dejan Markoski
Dejan Markoski

You could try with offering better salaries and contracts and you will see an immediate increase in workers coming to work gladly in Switzerland. Therefore many prefer other countries like Germany. Cheers!

Christian M.
Christian M.
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

This article makes me smile, but to tell the truth, it makes me smile a little. There is a shortage of 100k people in the service industry and it seems that these people are looking for 5-legged sheep ideally with 10 years of experience but less than 22 years at the salary of an apprentice.

For me, who is in my forties and looking for a job, I feel really frustrated. And yet, I am far from having fallen asleep on my laurels. I have several federal diplomas, continuing education and even a high certification from a business school, and yet I get ghosted when I apply for jobs. I must admit that I fall down. I don't blame anyone, it's up to me to find a solution, but to read that poor companies are having trouble recruiting, let me say that it doesn't bring a tear to my eye.

Also, what's with this trend of only wanting to employ Gen Z? Is this a joke? Most are slackers who take everything for granted. So continue with the youthism. When most of the older generation is unemployed with no purchasing power, we'll see how these companies do.

Cet article me prête à sourire mais à vrai dire à sourire un peu jaune. Il manque 100k personnes dans le tertiaire et bien il semblerait que ces gens cherchent les moutons à 5 pattes idéalement avec 10 années d'expérience mais moins de 22 ans au salaire d'un apprenti.

Pour moi qui suis dans ma quarantaine et en recherche d'emploi, je me sens véritablement frustré. Et pourtant, je suis loin de m'être endormi sur mes lauriers. Plusieurs brevets fédéraux, formations continues et même une haute certification d'une école de commerce, et pourtant je me fais ghoster lors de mes postulations. J'avoue tomber de haut. Je n'en veux à personne, c'est à moi de trouver une solution, mais lire que les pauvres entreprises ont du mal à recruter, permettez-moi de dire que cela ne me donne pas la larme à l'œil.

Et puis, c'est quoi cette tendance à ne vouloir employer que des Gen Z ? Est-ce une blague ? La plupart sont des mollassons qui pensent que tout leur soit acquis. Continuez donc avec le jeunisme. Quand la plupart des ainés seront au chômage sans pouvoir d'achat, on verra comment ces entreprises s'en sortiront

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