Swiss Job Market Index: Skilled Trades See Strong Growth

The number of job openings in Switzerland rose by 0.8 percent in the third quarter of 2026, both compared to the previous quarter and year-over-year. This is shown by the Swiss Job Market Index, which is compiled by the Adecco Group Switzerland in collaboration with the University of Zurich’s Swiss Job Market Monitor. In terms of occupational focus, skilled trades and technical professions are showing above-average job growth.

Swiss Job Market Index: Slight Recovery in the Job Market

According to the report, the KOF Employment Indicator also suggests a slight increase in companies’ willingness to hire. The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remained virtually unchanged in August at 3.1 percent compared with the previous month. SECO revised its growth forecast for 2026 from 0.9 to 1.7 percent. The reason for this was the exceptionally strong second quarter, which was driven by the export-oriented chemical and pharmaceutical industry. This development was bolstered by the economic recovery of the global economy.

The skilled trades sector is growing more than four times as fast as the overall market

Job openings in skilled trades and technical professions have increased by 131 percent since 2015/16. That is more than four times the growth rate of the overall index of all job openings, which rose by 30 percent. The strongest growth is seen among construction and finishing tradespeople, with an increase of 173 percent, including sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and carpenters and joiners. For electricians and electronics technicians, the increase is 134 percent.

In all five subgroups, growth is largely concentrated in a few specific occupations, such as construction sheet metal workers, plumbing and heating installers, and automotive mechanics. This growth may be driven in part by the strong construction sector and in part by other factors, such as an aging population and the resulting need for replacement workers.

Skills Shortage Eases; AI Risk Is Low

The shortage of skilled workers in trade and technical occupations has been easing since 2023, despite continued high demand. Only the subcategories of electricians and electronics technicians (ranked fourth) as well as polymechanics and automotive mechanics (ranked fifth) remain just within the shortage range or in the neutral range, respectively.

In addition, only about a quarter of skilled trades and technical occupations are considered to be at moderate risk of automation due to artificial intelligence, and just 2 percent are considered to be at high risk. The results showed that, despite economic uncertainties, these occupations offer robust employment prospects, according to the press release.

Marcel Keller, Country President of the Adecco Group Switzerland, says: «Skilled trades and technical professions offer good prospects even in a challenging economic environment.» At the same time, he notes, companies and employees must adapt to the fact that technological change, geopolitical developments, and economic upheavals are constantly altering the conditions in the labor market.

The index is published in January, April, July, and October. It is based on representative quarterly surveys of job postings in the press, on online job portals, and on company websites.

More information: https://www.adeccogroup.com