Spotting tomorrow’s jobs: what the 2035 skills forecast means for you

Imagine having a credible map of the job market for the next decade. That is exactly what the updated Skills Forecast recently released by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) offers. By analysing trends up to 2035, this tool helps everyone from individual jobseekers to large corporations prepare for changing skill needs and emerging opportunities.

A crystal ball for Europe’s workforce

The Skills Forecast predicts that overall employment in Europe will grow by over 4 % between 2023 and 2035. However, this growth isn’t evenly spread. Much of the demand in specific areas is driven by the expansion of green and digital technologies. For example, ICT jobs are expected to increase by 2.5 % each year across the EU, with rates soaring to 7.8 % in Romania. Electricity generation is another sector predicted to grow rapidly, particularly in countries like Malta and Luxembourg.

If you’re a jobseeker, the message is clear: upskilling in STEM and green technologies is a ticket to future stability. If you’re an employer, it highlights the urgent need to invest in training to secure the talent required for these expanding sectors. You can explore these projections directly on the Skills Forecast tool.

Ageing workers and looming shortages

The forecast reveals several major shifts in the labour market. The workforce is getting older fast: the number of workers aged 65 and over is growing by more than 7 % a year in many places, while the core 30–54 age group is shrinking. This means lots of jobs will need filling simply because people are retiring.

In others words, big shortages are coming for high-skilled roles like managers and health professionals. In contrast, jobs in fossil fuels are dropping, with coal employments set to fall by 10.7 % each year.

How can the data help?

Training providers can use it to improve curricula.
Jobseekers can identify growing fields and upskill accordingly.
Employers can use the Cedefop Labour Skills and Shortage Index to spot exactly where the gaps are, making recruitment much smarter.

Making it work with EURES

So, how do you turn these numbers into action? This is where EURES steps in. While Cedefop shows where the labour market is heading, EURES can support you in acting on it. If you’re a jobseeker and the forecast shows growing demand for your skills abroad, EURES Advisers can help you in finding relevant vacancies.

For employers, EURES complements the Skills Forecast with up-to-date information on labour shortages and surpluses across Europe, available through its annual report and interactive dashboard. At the same time, EURES provides access to a wider pool of talent across 31 European countries.

By combining Cedefop’s forward-looking data with EURES services, you can stay one step ahead of what’s to come.

If you’re interested in finding out about other Cedefop publications, read the EURES article about its 18 guidelines pointing the way to transforming career support across Europe.

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Cedefop Labour Skills and Shortage Index

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