Italy Tackles Labor Shortages by Welcoming Foreign Workers in Key Sectors

Italy is currently grappling with labor shortages across various industries, prompting the country to actively seek foreign workers to fill crucial vacancies. The European Labour Authority (EURES) identifies healthcare and social services, science and technology, engineering and construction, and hospitality as the sectors with the highest demand for skilled workers.

EURES anticipates that from 2023 to 2027, 34.3% of employment needs will be for individuals with tertiary education, including university or vocational training. Additionally, 48.1% of profiles are expected to require secondary technical-professional education, highlighting the diverse skill sets needed to address the labor gap.

Foreign workers looking to settle and work in Italy stand to benefit from this shortage, particularly if they belong to occupations facing recruitment challenges. The most challenging positions to fill during the mentioned period include roles such as doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, healthcare and social services professionals, mathematics and computer science specialists, ICT technicians, engineers, engineering technicians, skilled construction workers, and restaurant staff.

Conversely, professions like mail sorting and delivery clerks, as well as bank officers, are projected to experience below-average demand and low recruitment difficulty, signaling a potential decline in the need for professionals in these fields, according to forecasts from Excelsior for 2023-2027.

Italy has already taken proactive steps to address these shortages, with the Ministry of Interior revealing that Italian employers have submitted approximately 608,000 pre-applications for non-EU workers ahead of the annual work visa lottery. However, the quota for non-EU workers for the upcoming year is set at 136,000.

These pre-applications encompass various sectors, with 260,950 related to seasonal positions in tourism and agriculture, 253,470 for non-seasonal roles in construction and related fields, and around 86,070 for positions like domestic workers and health caretakers.

Earlier this year, the Italian government implemented legislative changes governing foreign workers and residence permits, aiming to streamline the employment and relocation process for individuals seeking opportunities in Italy. To work in Italy, non-EU citizens must secure a work visa, starting by finding a job in the country. Subsequently, the Italian employer applies for a work permit, and upon obtaining it, the individual can apply for a work visa through Italian representative offices in their respective countries.

Italy's approach reflects a proactive stance in addressing labor shortages, welcoming skilled workers from diverse backgrounds to contribute to key sectors and the overall economic landscape. The changes in legislation and the emphasis on attracting foreign talent underscore the country's commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workforce.

By fLEXI tEAM