Industrial companies across Friesland have noted a shortage of mechanics for industrial machines, electricians, and skilled installers in the province. That is backed up by numbers from the unemployment agency UWV, and the overall economic performance of the region has meant that benefit claims have also fallen.
Translation by Thomas Ansell
As reported by Omrop Fryslan, in the second quarter of 2019, around 20% of companies in the industrial sector had difficulty finding qualified workers for their available positions. The staff shortage is evident across all levels of the industrial sector, which is one of the most important professional fields within the Frisian economy. Second to the medical care sector, it is the largest employer in the province, and increasing automation is creating a huge need for skilled personnel.
Benefit claims down
Due to regional economic performance and the growth in overall numbers of available jobs, the number of people with a technical background claiming unemployment benefits has fallen. The total number of claimants within the province of Friesland is also lower: as of the end of June, the province had a total of 9,310 people claiming unemployment benefits, a fall of 20% from the previous year.
Photo source: Pxhere
