Where are the shortages, where are the workers? The drivers behind labour shortages in Europe and how to tackle them

During the event, which you can follow online, the European agencies will present two recent publications: ‘Measures to tackle labour shortages: Lessons for future policy’, by Eurofound, and the ‘EURES Report on labour shortages and surpluses 2022’, by ELA.

Both agencies’ Executive Directors, Cosmin Boiangiu, from ELA, and Ivailo Kalfin, from Eurofound, will open the event, which will be attended by representatives of national administrations, social partners and EU institutions. Various panels will discuss experiences and the impact of shortages and surpluses on workers and employers, practical examples of policy interventions and future-oriented strategies.

The report from ELA identifies the most common and severe labour shortages and surpluses in Europe and discusses their main causes. For example, it shows that jobs in software, healthcare, construction, and engineering are some of the most in demand, whereas occupations in widespread surplus were clerical-related and elementary ones, and professionals in the humanities and the arts.

Eurofound’s report looks at evaluated measures implemented at national level to tackle labour shortages and identifies what work for whom and in which circumstances. It demonstrates the importance of understanding the main drivers of shortages, highlighting that although increasing the labour market relevance of initial and ongoing training is key, other measures to address working conditions and integrate currently underutilised groups into the labour market is also of vital importance.

Links

• Agenda
• Webex Online Event – Password: EURES2903