Eight out of ten companies have problems filling vacancies and fear for their business

The search for talent is one of the main tasks for companies and a challenge that is becoming more and more acute. To the point that many of them fear that they will not be able to fill some positions in the near future. Specifically, eight out of ten companies admit to encountering this problem today, with larger ones being the most affected, according to the report. Paths that converge: young people and companies facing the challenge of talent Prepared by KPMG and the Princess of Girona Foundation in collaboration with the San Pablo CEU University Foundation and Enagás.

The document reinforces the complaints that businessmen have been making in recent months, since it shows that 75% of companies have difficulties incorporating the talent they require. A percentage that rises to 84% in the case of large companies —those with a turnover of more than 200 million euros—, and is especially high in technology companies, with 93%.

The forecast made by most of the 106 companies consulted warns that the coverage of vacancies will not be resolved in the short and medium term. In addition, 76% of them consider it “foreseeable” that the difficulties to incorporate the necessary profiles will increase in 2030. A problem that for almost eight out of ten respondents puts the sustainability of their business at risk.

“The report confirms the existence of a gap between the skills demanded by companies and the training with which young people enter the labor market. A problem recognized by 42% of the organizations surveyed, a percentage that rises to 52% in the case of young people. This fact, in addition to compromising the future prospects of our young people, slows down the growth of our country, at a time when it is necessary to promote the transformation of our economy towards a digital and sustainable model”, says Juanjo Cano, president of KPMG in Spain. “The solution to this challenge involves greater collaboration between public administrations, educational institutions, companies and civil society, which is essential to promote the talent of our young people in a constantly changing environment”, he details.

lack of preparation

The basic problem that is hidden behind the difficulty in filling vacancies is the insufficient preparation of the new generations that enter the labor market, because they are not adjusted to the needs demanded by companies, as recognized by 42% of the organizations surveyed. . “We must find more and better job guidance policies, earlier and that promote employability through professional training”, points out, for his part, Francisco Belil, president of the Princess of Girona Foundation. “We have to fight against youth unemployment and the employment crisis, rethink our education system, reinforcing its strengths and covering its gaps, and we have to listen to what companies need,” he adds.

The report warns that the lack of talent is concentrated in specialists in artificial intelligence and machine learning (70%), cybersecurity experts (69%) and data scientists and analysts (66%), developers of software and applications clouds (63%) and specialists in technology and digital transformation (60%).

As a solution to this circumstance, the report also proposes 25 initiatives framed in five areas of action: the transformation of the educational system with comprehensive long-term strategies; the identification with a global approach of the necessary roles and competences; the promotion of scholarships and internships; the promotion of spaces for collaboration between companies and educational institutions; and early professional guidance to help young people optimize decision-making regarding their professional career.

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