At first glance, it is a contradiction that 339,295 unemployed and 19,194 currently unfilled jobs are counted. But this is the reality of the Valencian Community. The number of vacancies has skyrocketed by 116% in the last three years since the outbreak of the pandemic, making it the second largest increase in the whole of Spain, behind only Asturias, and the third most, after only Catalonia and Madrid. The main reason must be sought in the high demand for workers, because Up to 190,599 places offered this year, you will be able to cover them all without finding suitable profiles. Therefore, the lack of adequate training, the insecurity of some jobs, and the increased costs incurred by companies are factors affecting this phenomenon. The scarcity of calls for public employment also has a direct impact, as there are many vacancies in the administration that continue to be filled.
The latest survey by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) on vacancies corresponding to the third quarter of this year reveals that unfilled jobs in the whole of Spain last September were 143,876, a growth of 38.1% compared to the previous year. is coming. Same quarter of 2019, before the covid crisis came. The same report reveals that: Vacancies increased in 14 of 17 autonomous communitiesand Valencia are the second autonomy with the highest growth percentage, increasing from 8,873 to 19,194 during this period. The Principality of Asturias leads with an increase of 131.44%, bringing the total to 2,856; While the Canary Islands are in the third place with 75.8% and 5,631 quotas; and Galicia, with 66.29% and 4,651. The only Communities where the drop was recorded are Cantabria, down 56.73%, bringing the balance to 408; La Rioja with a 29.91% drop and a record 396; and Extremadura, with a reduction of 2.31% and 1,059.
by sectors
Although the INE is a good indicator for occupations with more unfilled jobs, it only provides data by sector at national level. At the top is Public Administration and Defense with 45,427 vacancies., which shows that although objections have been called upon, they are still insufficient. In the same section, there are health and social service activities with 13,607 and education with 5,623. Trade and repair of vehicles also stands out with 21,117; administrative activities and ancillary services, 9.667; information and communication with 7,936; manufacturing industry with 6.794; transport and storage, with 5,882; and the accommodation sector with a total of 5,683. On the opposite side are two sectors that are currently operating strongly, namely electricity supply and real estate activities, where there are no unfilled jobs.
While searching for the specific reasons for this situation, the following points should be consulted first: the enormous demand for employment that exists today. Víctor Tatay, general manager of Adecco in the Levante region, states that more than 190,000 job offers were posted in the Valencian Community last year, of which 13.7% corresponded to the commercial sector and sales. Equivalent to 12.7% engineering, 10% hotels and restaurants, 9% logistics and distribution, 5.8% trade, 5.7% industry and 5.7% technologies.
“The first conclusion we can reach is that there are many vacancies as there is a job offer that we can describe as excessive. Actually, it can be said that those who want to work in the last year have finally worked.», but emphasizes Tatay, which also introduces some nuances. according to his words, One of the factors that cause the open quotas to not be closed is that there are quotas in some profiles.such as logistics forklift drivers, engineers, architects, cybersecurity experts and even plumbers, waiters and cooks. “In some cases, they cannot be found because there are not enough trained people, and in some cases because the conditions offered in terms of wages and hours are not attractive,” he explains. In that sense, he adds, there are companies that can afford to improve their offerings, “but there are others – he emphasizes – where this is nearly impossible.”
Uncertainty
Paloma Taltavull, professor of Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Alicante (UA), points to another factor that could directly affect the fact that vacancies are rising, and that is nothing more than the current context of instability. “The current situation – he emphasizes – is a state of great uncertainty, so much so that what goes on in employment is closely linked to employment. overall increase in costs that companies have to face, also those of contractors ». In addition, the increase in the number of unfilled positions has other repercussions in the work context, such as an increase in working hours, according to Taltavull.
So what do the unions think about all this? Paco García, secretary of the CC OO at l’Alacantí-Les Marines, considers it urgent to conduct detailed studies that serve to detail the specific reasons why there is so much unemployment in a state like Alicante with an above-average unemployment rate. 140,656, plus many unfilled places. “We talk – he explains – about two seemingly incompatible thingsand therefore we request such a report from the Provincial Economic and Social Council, as well as from institutions such as Ineca ».
For the union leader, possession is absolutely essential. a diagnostic tool that allows to predict the future needs of companies, especially in specialized sectors that are in an important stage of growth, such as the development of renewable energies, among others. García also finds it vital to know these needs in order to undertake certain VET plans.
He adds that another issue that needs to be addressed is the improvement of working conditions by taking the waiters as an example. «It’s not worth it for a worker who has to invest all the money he earns in travel and accommodation to accept a job.».
This union also highlights that one of the problems is the lack of training in companies, which prevents workers from choosing higher-educated positions and dealing with the problem of generational change.
public employment services
In similar terms, Yaissel Sánchez, secretary of the same border UGT, is self-explanatory, urging companies to go to public employment services to highlight their needs. “This will help to confront the problem objectively, tailoring education policies to respond in a truthful manner. Fluent communication is required between both parties,” he adds.
Also, CC agrees with its OO counterpart that it is necessary to improve conditions. «People want to work but don’t want to be exploited. Ultimately, it is necessary to harmonize private life and business life, and in most cases it is sufficient to comply with the legislation.”
Finally, both unions demand that workers retiring from public administration make appropriate employment calls in order to fill their positions and thus return to previous years’ rates.