The double transition, ecological and technological, which has been accelerated by the pandemic, makes the search for technical profiles even more challenging, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises. The latest data from the Excelsior Unioncamere system showed that more than 6 out of 10 profiles are not found, in general. Focusing on SMEs, Banca Ifis’ latest Market Watch explains that 83% of SMEs are looking for technical profiles and 4.0, but more than half do not find them. Word of mouth remains the most used channel to identify them.
The positive fact is that the climate of uncertainty discourages only 10% of companies from scouting: at the center of everything remain the growth and development plans of Italian SMEs, which, even in the midst of the pandemic, have tried to attract people and develop skills for manage digital transformation.
Alongside the technical profiles, there are digital ones and, in particular, those specialized in 4.0 technologies. Entering into the matter, 59% of SMEs need new skills related to specific production techniques for their sector, 28% of collaborators able to manage digital solutions, 26% of administrative profiles and 24% of subjects specialized in industry 4.0. For 8%, expert resources are needed in the social, mobile, analytic and cloud areas.
Looking to the future, in the next three years, the figures expert in production techniques will remain the most sought after (42%), followed by those who can count on digital and 4.0 skills (both at 39%). All candidates are required to have transversal skills such as knowing how to work in a team, being flexible and solving problems. In the search for profiles, soft skills are also taken into account, i.e. those interpersonal or communication skills that can often make a difference within a group, and which, according to Banca Ifis’s Market Watch, weigh when looking for a person. almost half (45%) in the selected profile.