Many companies are struggling to find qualified staff and are being faced with applicants demanding high salaries and additional perks, according to an investigation by state benefits agency UWV.

Some 45% of job vacancies are still difficult to fill, a survey among 3,550 employers showed, although this is down from 53% in 2023 and 2024.

“The labour market is not as tight as it was a couple of years ago, but sectors such as construction and healthcare are still short of personnel, ” labour market expert Erica Maurits told Nu.nl.

Some 87% of employers said too few people are applying for the jobs they have on offer and that those who do are lacking the right qualifications. Just over half of employers decided to tackle the problem by offering training on the job.

“Training is a good solution in these cases, and people who are looking for a job are open to it as well. Over a third of job seekers on benefits are prepared to engage in training while working if that will give them a better chance of getting the job,” Maurits said.

The mismatch between the demand and supply of labour, emerging AI tools and retirement-related vacancies means employers should invest more in training, the UWV said, particularly because the labour market will remain tight for the next few years.