Job seekers now have a better chance of finding work in construction, as veterinary assistants, or in second‑hand shops, according to UWV. The unemployment benefits agency says these roles count as new, promising professions this year. At the same time, demand has fallen for customer service representatives and police officers.
Construction work usually offers many vacancies, but the list of promising professions has expanded. Bricklayers, joint fillers, road construction machine operators, and construction support workers now face stronger demand. “New construction is picking up, the electricity grid needs expansion, and bridges and roads require maintenance. As a result, these professions have become promising,” says Stef Molleman, labour market advisor at the UWV.
The UWV also notes that more people have chosen to get pets since the coronavirus pandemic. Veterinary practices and pet shops have become busier and now need more staff. Second‑hand clothing shops have grown in number as well, creating more job opportunities. Other professions with high demand include facilities manager, budget consultant, and event manager.
Even though the labour market is easing slightly, the UWV still counts more than three hundred promising professions. “Most of the professions on the list have been promising for years. Many of them are expected to remain so. These often involve roles in construction, transport, healthcare, and hospitality,” Molleman says.
Some professions have lost their promising status because they have become more popular among job seekers or because artificial intelligence has reduced the need for staff. Last year, demand for copywriters fell for this reason. “Now, opportunities have also diminished in customer contact and advertising, where AI can take over part of the work,” Molleman explains.
@ANP | News Brainport
