More than 100 jobs in Brussels suffering labour shortage

Employers in Brussels struggled to recruit staff for 108 different types of job last year, according to the Brussels region’s employment agency Actiris, which has published its annual list of jobs in short supply.

This is a slight decrease from the 113 noted in 2021. The list, published every summer, is seen as a kind of barometer of the state of the capital’s job market.

Teachers and construction workers once again featured highly in the annual list – with six professions in the education sector struggling to find enough applicants and 20 different job types in construction.

Hotels and catering, where 11 different job titles suffer a labour shortage, is another area where it takes a very long time to find successful candidates.

One key factor for shortages is an absence of candidates. The second is a lack of quality - not enough people with the right qualifications, experience or language skills. Difficult working conditions – long and/or unsociable hours for too low a salary – is the third main reason given by Actiris.

This year, financial analysts, hotel staff and domestic helpers reappeared on the list. Their omission in 2021 can be explained by the Covid-19 pandemic, Actiris said, with their recovery synonymous with the economic recovery as “2022 was the first full year after the reopening of these sectors”.

As the holidays approach, there is still an urgent need for hotel receptionists, the agency added. While there is no lack of applicants, candidates are put off by the working conditions or do not have the relevant qualifications. Actiris added that while the hours are restrictive, the pay is attractive, with salaries of more than €2,000 net per month.

Other professions meanwhile disappeared from the labour shortage list, including credit advisors, surveyors, shop managers and estate agents.

Announcing the list, Brussels employment minister Bernard Clerfayt said there were 25,739 vacancies in the Brussels region, including many professions that are recruiting.

“To enable employers to hire, job seekers need to be better trained and supported. This is why, from September, all job seekers will benefit from a professional, linguistic and digital skills assessment,” Clerfayt said.

“Based on the results, an action and training plan will be established. This will make it possible to better orient jobseekers on the employment market, in particular towards all these professions that desperately need help.”