Jobs in short supply in Switzerland: which training programmes should you choose?

In January 2026, the Swiss unemployment rate stood at 3.2 %, with 152,280 people out of work. At the same time, 48,904 job vacancies were reported to regional employment offices, an increase of more than 36 % compared with the previous month. This paradox sums up the situation quite well: the Swiss labour market is slowing down, but there remains a severe shortage of qualified candidates in certain sectors.

The latest comprehensive annual study on the subject, published by the Adecco Group and the University of Zurich in late 2025, already showed a shortage index down by 22 % compared with 2024, a return close to pre-pandemic levels. However, out of the 32 occupational categories monitored, four remained structurally out of balance: healthcare, construction management, specialist technicians and electrical engineering. A study by the Swiss Economic Research Centre (KOF) published in March 2026 goes further: there could be a shortfall of around 400’000 people in the Swiss labour market over the next ten years. Demographic change is cited as the main factor by 87 % of the economists surveyed, ahead of skills mismatches and insufficient access to foreign labour.

In practical terms, this shortage takes very different forms depending on the sector. The watchmaking industry in the Jura Arc estimates it will need around 4,000 micro-engineering professionals (watch setters, polishers, CNC operators) by the end of the year. The logistics and road haulage sectors anticipate a shortfall of up to 80,000 HGV drivers by 2032. The ICT sector, for its part, is forecasting a structural shortage of 54,000 specialists by 2033. Conversely, there remains a surplus of traditional office, administrative and commercial roles, which face stiff competition from automation and artificial intelligence.

A shortage that can never be resolved solely on a «sector-by-sector» basis»

Healthcare, construction, engineering, ICT: these sectors are the focus of attention. But no sector-specific skills shortage can be resolved simply by training more healthcare workers, technicians or software developers. Every sector facing pressure also needs cross-functional roles to help shoulder the burden: qualified administrative staff in healthcare settings, safety officers on construction sites and industrial premises, a supply chain managed by certified professionals, HR teams capable of recruiting quickly in a candidate-driven market, and managers capable of organising the digital transformation that is reshaping office-based roles.

It is precisely these cross-functional roles – which are less prominent in the headlines but just as sought-after on the ground – that are actively recruiting in 2026. And it is these skills than a federal certificate enables you to have your qualifications officially recognised without having to leave your job.

Five training programmes to help you establish a foothold in high-demand sectors

Medical secretary.
The demand for qualified administrative staff is growing in line with an ageing population and increased care needs. It offers a direct and accessible route into the healthcare sector, without the need for clinical training.

Specialist in occupational safety and health protection (STPS), federal certificate.
The construction sector remains one of those officially facing a structural labour shortage. Construction sites and industrial sites need professionals capable of ensuring safety and compliance – a skill that is becoming increasingly scarce as experienced staff retire.

Logistics specialist, Federal Certificate.
With the predicted shortage of drivers and chronic pressure across the entire supply chain, a federal logistics qualification opens up opportunities for leadership roles in industry, distribution and even the healthcare sector itself.

Human resources specialist, Federal Certificate.
A striking paradox: the more acute the skills shortage, the greater the pressure on HR departments to recruit, retain and train staff. Companies are actively seeking certified HR professionals to manage this pressure at their own level.

AI Business Specialist, Federal Certificate.
Office-based roles are on the decline, but a new need is emerging: that for professionals capable of overseeing the integration of artificial intelligence into business processes. This is one of the most sought-after roles in 2026, at the intersection of management and technology.

Training without interrupting your career

The Swiss Federal Certificate is designed for working professionals: evening classes, weekend courses or video conferences, with preparation typically taking between 9 and 24 months depending on the certificate being pursued. Since 2018, the Confederation reimburses up to 50 % of the preparation costs, subject to a maximum of CHF 9,500, provided that you sit the federal examination.

At OSAM, we have more than 15 federal certificates and diplomas are supported by practising trainers, with personalised guidance right up until they submit their examination application. In a market that is undergoing a redistribution rather than a contraction, the real question is no longer «is there a shortage?» but «in which role do you want to become the leading expert?»

Would you like to discuss which qualification is best suited to your profile? The OSAM team is here to advise you during a free consultation.

Sources of the figures quoted: