Every year, the European Commission publishes a report on shortage and surplus professions for the EU / EFTA countries. The 2020/2021 analysis was unique due to the developing coronavirus pandemic at that time. What shortage of professions does it indicate? What were the shortage professions in Europe in 2021?
Shortage professions in Europe 2021
A shortage profession is one for which there is the greatest demand among employers, therefore people performing it should not have a problem with finding a job. It usually concerns less popular professions and those requiring special qualifications.
We present the results of the report on shortage and surplus professions Analysis of Shortage and Surplus Occupations 2021
In the table below you will find a list of shortage professions for the year 2021. These are the professions indicated by at least 9 EU / EFTA countries.
| Shortage Occupations in Europe 2021 |
| Nursing Professionals |
| Plumbers and Pipe Fitters |
| Software Developers |
| Systems Analysts |
| Welders and Flame Cutters |
| Bricklayers and Related Workers |
| Heavy Truck and Lorry Drivers |
| Applications Programmers |
| Carpenters and Joiners |
| Generalist Medical Practitioners |
| Health Care Assistants |
| Civil Engineering Technicians |
| Civil Engineers |
| Concrete Placers, Concrete Finishers etc. |
| Contact Centre Information Clerks |
| Home-based Personal Care Workers |
| Nursing Associate Professionals |
| Sheet Metal Workers |
| Web and Multimedia Developers |
Report analysis – shortage professions
The analysis of the data from the report allows us to unanimously state that as a result of the pandemic, the demand for specialists with specific skills has increased. Employers are constantly looking for welders, nurses and drivers. On europa.jobs there are offers coming in everyday, for people working in these professions. The immediate need to recruit medical staff was an obvious consequence of the rapidly developing pandemic. The urgent recruitment of nurses, doctors and ambulance drivers is still going on.
Apart from that, the demand for IT specialists has increased. New technologies have dominated and changed the labor market in many ways, and further changes are inevitable. Therefore, it is important to adapt to the global market and employ IT specialists – programmers, webmasters, database administrators, SEO specialists – for a reason they are referred to as professions of the future. However, the provision of personal services cannot be replaced by technology. They cover all health and personal care professions.
Job offers for cooks and waitresses
In the summary of the report, we find a mention of how important is raising the level of training and education in specific skills and disciplines. We mean mainly specialists in such industries as welding, electrics and construction. In these professions, the most important thing is the quality of services. Employing skilled workers is the key to success.
Surplus professions
On the other hand, the list of the most widespread professions is dominated by office workers, economists, unskilled workers, or people with non-technical professions.
At least 5 EU / EFTA countries mention professions such as:
- sociologist
- journalist
- visual artist
- taxi driver
- sales assistant in the store
- cashier
- cleaning personnel
- kitchen assistant
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