Struggling to recruit? Learn from effective practices

Background

The scale of labour shortages in the EU has been increasing for over a decade and remains significantly above pre-pandemic levels. Around 80% of employers in the EU indicate that they find it difficult to recruit workers with the right skills. Labour and skills shortages affect growth, innovation and the EU’s ability to achieve its digital and green targets. In addition, they can intensify work for existing employees, increasing the likelihood of stress and burnout, contributing to absences and exits.

In order to attract talent, employers are increasingly having to innovate and explore new routes to attract workers and develop the relevant skills either by improving working conditions, upskilling those already within the organisation, investing in training new staff and attracting workers currently outside the labour market or from other countries.

This half-day event presents case studies from organisations and companies which have successfully addressed challenges to fill vacancies, as well as research findings on what works for employers in different situations. The potential of EU mobility and the services delivered by the EURES network are also demonstrated.

This event aims to bring together 50 participants from the EU institutions, national governments and social partners, NGOs and practitioners to explore the Agencies’ new findings and services and to learn from recruitment and retention measures at company level to tackle labour shortages, including those arising from the twin digital and green transitions. It is a chance for participants to engage with speakers, experts and companies on issues relating to company practices to address labour shortages, crucially, to explore how EURES can help employers to address labour shortages.

A photo gallery as well as a short video and highlights of the event are available.

On the agenda

See the agenda below.

More information

• New! Eurofound digital story: Company practices to tackle labour shortages

• Eurofound report: Company practices to tackle labour shortages

• Eurofound report: Measures to tackle labour shortages: Lessons for future policy

• Eurofound blog: EU lack of labour won't be solved by skills alone: Improving job quality is key

• ELA report: Labour shortages and surpluses in Europe 2023

Useful links

• EURES leaflet: ‘Work Anywhere in Europe’

• EURES brochure for employers: ‘EURES, recruiting in Europe. A guide for employers’

• EURES services for employers: Employers - European Union (europa.eu)

• EOJDS brochure: ‘Find your job in Europe: European (online) job days’

• EURES: Labour shortages and surpluses in Europe (dashboards)

• European Job Days online platform