Italy’s labor market is tightening. The employment rate for 15–64-year-olds hit 62.2% in 2024, while the unemployment rate stands at 6.5%. With an abundance of open roles, the real challenge lies in finding candidates with the right skills. For recruiters, this means competition is fierce, and filling roles requires more effort than ever.
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The Big Picture of Hiring Trend in Italy
Italy’s job market is growing, but the issue isn’t the number of open roles, it’s matching the right skills to those roles. As permanent employment increases and fixed-term contracts decrease, companies are prioritizing long-term hires for key positions.
For hiring managers, this trend means longer time-to-fill and heightened competition for top talent. A slow hiring process can result in losing the best candidates to quicker competitors.
Sectors Hiring the Most
Over the next few years, most job growth will be in the services sector, particularly:
- Business and professional services (consulting, IT, engineering, real estate)
- Distribution and transport (logistics, wholesale, retail)
- Non-market services (education, healthcare, public services)
Demand for engineers, IT professionals, data and digital experts, and technical consultants is especially high. In addition, industries like tourism, accommodation, catering, and retail will remain critical to recruitment across many regions.
Hard-to-Fill Roles
The real challenge for recruiters is not the number of vacancies but how many of them are difficult to close. Around half of recruitment efforts are categorized as “difficult,” with specialized and technical roles being the hardest to fill.
Here are some of the toughest positions to fill:
- Specialized metal and mechanical workers (welders, assemblers, toolmakers)
- Engineering and technical profiles
- Healthcare technicians and digital roles,persistent shortages continue in these fields.
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Hiring for technical or specialized talent in Italy will require patience, as these roles are in high demand but low supply.
Regional Hiring Insights
Hiring conditions differ across Italy, making it essential for recruiters to understand regional patterns:
- Northern Italy:
Known for its strong industrial base, there is high demand for technicians, specialized workers, and machine operators. This area faces some of the highest difficulty rates in filling these roles.
- Central and Southern Italy:
Focused on tourism, services, accommodation, catering, and retail, these sectors experience seasonal peaks in demand.
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To address regional shortages, many companies are expanding their hiring efforts beyond local borders, offering relocation support or adopting remote and hybrid work models.
How Hiring Managers Can Adapt
While you don’t control the market, you can control how you respond to it. Here are a few practical strategies:
- Speed up the hiring process:
Streamline your interview process by reducing unnecessary rounds, offering clear timelines, and making faster decisions,especially for hard-to-fill roles.
- Build talent internally:
Instead of relying solely on external hires, consider apprenticeships, internships, and internal training programs to develop specialized workers and technicians.
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- Broaden your talent pool:
Look beyond your region, explore opportunities with under-represented groups, and consider remote or hybrid work options where possible.
- Leverage labor-market data:
Use data from sources like ISTAT, EURES, and Cedefop to plan ahead, identify tight roles, and begin building your talent pipeline early.
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Aligning your recruitment strategy with these trends will help ensure that you find and retain the talent that’s most in demand in Italy’s competitive job market.
How Have Hiring Trends in Italy Changed in the Last 12 Months?
Over the past year, Italy’s hiring landscape has seen notable shifts driven by both economic recovery and changing workforce expectations. With the employment rate rising to 62.2% in 2024, companies have found themselves grappling with evolving recruitment challenges, even as vacancies remain high.
Key Changes in Hiring Trends
- Increased Demand for Skilled Workers:
Italy has experienced a surge in demand for skilled workers, especially in technology, healthcare, and engineering sectors. This demand has outpaced supply, making these fields the hardest to fill.
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- Shift to Permanent Contracts:
One significant change has been the shift from temporary contracts to permanent employment. As companies have moved toward securing long-term talent, there’s been a focus on attracting high-quality candidates who can bring consistent value to organizations, especially in critical roles.
- Digital and Green Skills in High Demand:
With green technology and AI continuing to grow, employers are looking for candidates with digital and environmental expertise. Skills in software development, data science, and sustainable engineering are now essential, shaping the future of recruitment in Italy.
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- Regional Differences in Hiring Needs:
While Northern Italy has seen an uptick in demand for technicians and specialized workers, the Central and Southern regions have focused more on tourism, services, and retail, with seasonal hiring surges driving recruitment trends.
What’s Coming Next
By 2030, employment in Italy is expected to grow moderately, with services driving most of the new roles. The primary sector and utilities will likely shrink. Over half of future job openings will require high-level qualifications, while medium-skill roles will grow more slowly.
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In particular, demand for digital and green skills will continue to rise. Skills in areas such as AI, data, cybersecurity, software development, green engineering, and sustainable construction are becoming increasingly vital. At the same time, soft skills like problem-solving and adaptability are no longer optional,they’re becoming essential for many employers.
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