Swiss companies advertised 7% more job ads in the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the same period a year ago, according to the Adecco Group Swiss Job Market Index conducted by the Swiss Job Market Monitor from the University of Zurich.

The number of advertised positions for all occupational groups increased or remained comparably high during the first quarter of 2019 when compared to the same period last year.

Public sector teaching saw a 19% increase in job ads when compared to the previous year. Job advertisements from companies looking for professionals in management also increased (+16% for middle management roles such as division and project managers) compared to the previous year. The demand for IT specialists increased as well (+13% for roles such as programmers).

Meanwhile, professions in construction and renovations as well as technology and natural sciences, healthcare jobs, and roles in hospitality and personal services jobs all reported increases ranging from 5-7%

Among regions, Eastern Switzerland reported the strongest growth in the number of job advertisements with 19% growth compared to the previous year. Demand was high for roles in technology and IT (+31%), most specifically for engineering and tech professions.

The Espace Mittelland region reported growth of 10%. Growth in the other regions was less than 10% compared to the previous year.

When compared to the previous quarter, the Adecco Group Swiss Job Market Index remained stable.

“An evaluation of the most recent developments shows widespread stagnation in almost all vocational groups compared to the previous quarter,” said Nicole Burth, CEO of The Adecco Group Switzerland. “It remains to be seen how the following quarters of 2019 develop before being able to predict whether the subdued economic forecasts will be replicated on the job market.”