The skills shortages index in Switzerland climbed over the second quarter of 2011 in both industry and the services sector.

According to data from the Federal Office of Statistics (OFS), reported by Staffing Industry Analysts, the nation saw the proportion of positions deemed to be difficult to fill in industry expand by 4.9 per cent year-on-year to 39 per cent.

In addition, there was a 4.2 per cent increase in talent gaps within the services sector to 31 per cent, representing further strengthening of the skills shortages index.

Full-time jobs in the country stood 1.1 per cent higher between the second quarter of this year and the same three months of 2010, rising by 30,000 roles to 2.67 million people in employment.

Additional data from the OFS show wage growth in Switzerland of 1.7 per cent over the year to quarter two 2011, up from an increase of 1.6 per cent during the first quarter.

Posted by Alex Donnell