The Michael Page Swiss Job Index recorded an increase in job offers of 8.1% between May and June 2016. Compared to the same period last year, the number of job offers decreased by -2.2%.

In German-speaking Switzerland the number of job offers rose by 8.6% between May and June, its biggest increase in four years. In French-speaking Switzerland, the number of job vacancies jumped 4.0% between May and June. The Index reports that since the beginning of the year, the number of jobs grew by a monthly average of 5.7%. During the same period last year, it was decline of -0.2%.

The increase in vacancies was high in Eastern Switzerland (+ 14.2%) and Central Switzerland (+ 9.8%). According to the Index, engineers and export specialists are highly sought after, along with staff in the areas of health and life sciences.

All regions recorded a net increase in job offers.

Among the different sectors, construction recorded the strongest growth, while job offers for logistics specialists also increased. Between May and June, the largest increase in demand was registered in branches for the following career fields.

"Two factors are crucial in explaining the positive trend of work on the job market," Charles Franier, Executive Director at Michael Page, said. "First, the growth and transformation of the industry requires to recruit specialists; second, after a freeze in demand last year, companies begin to recruit again. We also observe that specialists are highly sought, regardless of the sector. The demand in the areas of health, life and heavy industry science is particularly strong "