The train to the future is passing by, and the island risks missing it . Yes, because the business world is moving steadily toward digitalization and high specialization , but in Sardinia the workforce is stuck in the last century.
Yet, according to the latest Unioncamere report, prepared by the Mestre-based CGIA, Sardinian companies have been searching for new workers for years, albeit with enormous difficulty.
By October, 32,000 positions will be vacant , but in over 45% of cases, interviews will be unsuccessful due to a lack of suitable candidates for the contracts offered . And unfortunately, the difficulty in finding candidates doesn't just affect the most specialized and rare professionals, but also more "common" roles such as cooks, waiters, bartenders, drivers, and bricklayers.
Many candidates lack the technical and professional skills, highlighting the persistent historical gap between the level of learning acquired during school and the needs of the production system .
Compared to the pre-Covid period, young people are also increasingly seeking jobs with greater levels of flexibility, autonomy, and free time, and are less inclined to accept assignments with long hours (especially on weekends) or physically demanding working conditions.
According to CGIA, the sectors where it's increasingly difficult to find skilled workers, not only on the island but throughout Italy, "are construction and manufacturing ." Among the most sought-after roles are "carpenters, scaffolders, drywallers, floor layers/tilers," but also "model makers, garment makers, and printers," as well as "turners, millers, and welders."
