251,226 job vacancies were recorded in Switzerland in the last quarter of 2023, as revealed by the latest Jobradar of x28 AG, which collects and provides data about the Swiss labour market.
Swiss employers are looking to hire workers in several sectors, but the highest number of job vacancies are related to healthcare, with 15,790 jobs advertised within this sector.
The construction sector had the second-highest demand for workers (13,566), followed by retail and trade (12,761), the hospitality and hotel industry (10,478), and information and technology (8,024).
Whereas the highest number of job advertisements were reported in Zurich (55,113), Bern (37,939), Aragau (20,350), St. Gallen (18,178), and Luzern (17,021).
A study by the University of St. Gallen and Advance in September 2023 found that there is a severe shortage of skills in the country, and it may get worse as Baby Boomers retire.
As per calculations from the Gottlieb Duttweiler Institute (GDI), even with a moderate influx of 50,000 skilled professionals annually, up to 400,000 positions could go unfilled by 2030.
This implies that foreign workers may have a higher chance of securing employment in Switzerland. For those aiming to work in the Swiss country, the Jobradar report also revealed the most wanted professions during the fourth quarter of 2023:
- Care Specialist / Nurse (6,395)
- Electrician (6,337)
- Sales advisor (4,056)
- Carpenter (3,337)
- Project manager (3.256)
- Software developer (3.187)
- Polymechanic (3.128)
- Healthcare specialist (2.625)
- Service technician (2.606)
- Commercial clerk (2.559)
- Sanitary installer (2,541)
- Logistics Specialist (2,521)
- Automation specialist (2,459)
- Retail trade specialist (2,443)
- Cooks (2,407)
In addition, Switzerland needs workers to fill in the following vacancies as well: mechanics, machine operators, gardeners, construction project managers, system engineers, team leaders, painters and metal workers.
Do You Need a Visa to Work in Switzerland?
Non-EU/EFTA citizens are required to obtain a visa in order to work within Switzerland. To apply for a Swiss work visa, individuals must be skilled and qualified workers with a university degree, years of experience, and specific expertise.
They should secure a job offer in advance, and the employer must confirm that no EU/EFTA citizen is available for the position.
Furthermore, workers from third countries who wish to apply for a Swiss work visa might find it valuable to know that last year, Switzerland decided to simplify the rules, making it easier for this category of workers to obtain a work permit.
As Swiss authorities announced back then, qualified workers from third countries can obtain a work permit if there’s a need and it aligns with Switzerland’s economic interests.