Imagine having a map of the job market for the next ten years. The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, known as Cedefop, has released an updated Skills Forecast that looks at trends up to 2035. A EURES article explains how jobseekers and employers can use it.
Most of the figures are for Europe or the EU as a whole, but the ideas work in any role. Here are the practical tips.
Tip 1: Look at the forecast yourself
EURES says the Skills Forecast tool helps everyone from individual jobseekers to large corporations prepare for changing skill needs and emerging opportunities. You can explore the projections directly on the tool. For jobseekers, the idea is to identify growing fields and upskill accordingly. A good first step today is to open the tool and see what it shows for the field you work in, or the one you would like to move into.
Tip 2: Ask where the growth is
The forecast expects overall employment in Europe to grow by over 4% between 2023 and 2035. EURES points out that this growth is not evenly spread. Much of the demand in specific areas is driven by the expansion of green and digital technologies. So the useful question is which areas are growing, and whether your skills fit them.
Tip 3: Build skills in STEM and green technologies
EURES says the message for jobseekers is clear: upskilling in STEM and green technologies is a route to future stability. Pick the area that suits you best and plan your next step in it.
Tip 4: Take digital skills seriously
The article says ICT jobs are expected to increase by 2.5% each year across the EU. If you work with technology, or want to, that is a good reason to keep your digital skills current.
Tip 5: Keep an eye on energy
EURES notes that electricity generation is predicted to grow rapidly, particularly in countries like Malta and Luxembourg. For anyone in Malta thinking about a new direction, this is a sector worth reading about.
Tip 6: Remember that retirements open doors
According to the article, the workforce is getting older. The number of workers aged 65 and over is growing by more than 7% a year in many places, while the core 30–54 age group is shrinking. EURES says this means lots of jobs will need filling simply because people are retiring.
The article also names managers and health professionals as high-skilled roles where big shortages are coming. That is a useful signal for anyone building skills towards those roles.
Tip 7: Ask EURES for help if your skills are in demand abroad
Cedefop shows where the labour market is heading, and EURES can help you act on it. If the forecast shows growing demand for your skills abroad, EURES Advisers can help you find relevant vacancies.
For employers
EURES says the forecast highlights the need to invest in training to secure the talent that growing sectors require. Employers can also use the Cedefop Labour Skills and Shortage Index to spot exactly where the gaps are, which EURES says makes recruitment much smarter.
EURES adds up-to-date information on labour shortages and surpluses across Europe, available through its annual report and interactive dashboard. It also gives access to a wider pool of talent across 31 European countries. Training providers can use the forecast to improve their curricula.
The takeaway
The forecast does not promise anything for any one person, but it gives a clearer picture of where demand is growing. Looking at it, choosing a skill to build and asking EURES about vacancies are all steps you can take now.
Sources
EURES – eures.europa.eu/spotting-tomorrows-jobs-what-2035-skills-forecast-means-you-2026-09-15_en