Swiss labour market Q3 2026: First signs of stabilisation
Robust prospects for skilled trades and technical occupations
15 minutes
October 15, 2026 - 5:13 AM
Following a period of slowdown, the Swiss labour market is showing the first signs of stabilisation. At the same time, the environment continues to be shaped by economic uncertainty, technological change and evolving skills requirements. Against this backdrop, it is worth taking a closer look at developments in skilled trades and technical occupations.
The latest Job Index paints a nuanced picture. While skills shortages in skilled trades and technical occupations have eased, demand for qualified professionals remains high. At the same time, several factors suggest that these occupations will continue to offer attractive prospects in the future.
“Skilled trades and technical occupations offer strong prospects even in a challenging economic environment. High demand and limited substitutability by AI create solid long-term opportunities.”
Marcel Keller, Country President, Adecco Group Switzerland
Strong long-term demand for skilled professionals
Job advertisement trends show that demand for workers in skilled trades and technical occupations has grown significantly faster than the overall labour market since 2015. While the overall index increased by 30% over this period, the index for skilled trades and technical occupations rose by 131%.
Demand grew particularly strongly among building and related trades (+173%), electricians and electronics technicians (+134%), as well as polymechanics and motor vehicle mechanics (+127%).
Occupations driving this growth include sanitary and heating installers, carpenters, construction electricians and motor vehicle mechanics. These figures underline the importance of such professional profiles for key sectors of the Swiss economy and demonstrate the sustained demand for technical and trade-related skills.
Skills shortages ease, demand remains
In recent years, many skilled trades and technical occupations were among the professions most affected by labour shortages. Since 2023, however, these shortages have eased noticeably.
At the same time, demand for qualified professionals remains high. Companies continue to seek employees with the required qualifications and experience. This development points less to a disappearance of skills shortages than to a normalisation following several exceptionally tight labour market years.
Limited exposure to AI
Artificial intelligence is reshaping many tasks and occupations. Skilled trades and technical occupations, however, occupy a special position.
Many of these roles require practical experience, manual skills, situational decision-making and work in changing physical environments. As a result, only around one quarter of these occupations are considered moderately exposed to AI-driven automation, while just 2% are classified as highly exposed.
This does not mean AI will play no role in these fields. Digital tools and intelligent support systems are becoming increasingly integrated into everyday work. However, demand for qualified professionals is unlikely to be fundamentally challenged.
Securing skilled talent remains a strategic priority
The findings show that skilled trades and technical occupations continue to offer robust prospects, even in a changing labour market environment. Despite easing skills shortages, demand for qualified professionals remains high.
For employers, securing skilled talent therefore remains a key strategic priority. Although labour shortages have eased in many occupational fields, filling specialised positions continues to be challenging.
Companies that invest strategically in recruitment, training, upskilling and employee retention will be better positioned to meet their future workforce needs.
Would you like to learn more about developments in the Swiss labour market? Read the full Job Index Q3 2026 report.
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