Most companies across Spain (72%) are experiencing talent shortage problems, both in the market in general and within their own company, according to research from Randstad Spain and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE).

In addition, 9 out of 10 companies have recently searched for a worker and the vast majority of them have faced difficulties in filling their vacancies, especially in qualified profiles. 

Among the factors that make selection and hiring more difficult is the shortage of professionals (according to 64% of companies), the competition between companies (according to 55% of companies) and the possibility that the sector is not attractive to professionals (49% of companies said this).

Meanwhile, most of the companies surveyed, or 93%, indicate that filling a vacancy in 2023 is turning out to be the same (52%) or more difficult (41%) than last year, while 7% indicate that it is easier than in 2022.

Regarding the strategies to address the talent deficit, companies are mainly committing to flexible policies (47%), employer branding (45%) and the restoration of a selection criteria (41%). Among the most popular flexibility measures are being able to choose the start time, having flexible holiday, teleworking and intensive working hours.

Most companies are also planning to make different types of organisational changes to meet challenges and adapt to the current complex economic reality. Those surveyed will mainly bet on reducing expenses (in 87% of cases), promoting digitisation and technological innovation (82%) and increasing performance (79%).