Italy is facing labour shortages, particularly in 37 occupations across the country, the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses has revealed.
Manufacturing, healthcare, food service, and IT emerged among affected sectors, SchengenNews reports.
In addition to the shortage of workers, Italy’s ageing population is expected to increase further in the upcoming years – a trend concerning other EU countries as well. This implies that Italy relies on a foreign workforce and that foreigners who belong to most in-demand roles may have a higher chance of getting a work visa in Italy.
Some of the most in-demand jobs identified among 37 shortages occupations in Italy are as follows:
- Manufacturing labourers not elsewhere classified
- Welders and flame cutters
- Bakers, pastry cooks, and confectionery makers
- Food service counter attendants
- Healthcare assistants
- Medical imaging and therapeutic equipment technicians
- Personal services workers not elsewhere classified
- Computer network and system technicians
- Physicians and engineering science technicians not elsewhere certified
- Software and applications developers, and analysts not elsewhere certified
On the other hand, the latest report by the European Labour Authority has not identified any surplus occupations in the case of Italy.
Most Challenging Roles to Fill Are Related to Healthcare & IT
Nurses, physiotherapists, and qualified professionals in health and social services are expected to be the most challenging occupations to fill during the 2023-2027 period, according to EURES.
Regarding technological innovation and digital transition processes, Italy is expected to need more professionals such as mathematics and computer science specialists, ICT technicians, engineers and engineering technicians.
In addition to the above-mentioned roles, skilled construction workers and restaurant workers are forecast to be among the most challenging positions to fill during this period.
It is estimated that between 2023 and 2027, 34.3 per cent of the employment requirement will be for personnel with tertiary education (university or vocational training), and 48.1 per cent of profiles will require a secondary technical-professional education.
IDOS: Italy Needs 280,000 Migrants a Year
Italy will need at least 280,000 foreign workers yearly until 2050, according to a note published by the IDOS Study and Research Centre in October 2023.
Such a figure is considered necessary to address labour shortages due to the country’s ageing population, according to InfoMigrants. As further reported, by 2050, the population in Italy is expected to decrease by 7.8 million.
