Employers looking for an extra 49,000 workers to make their transport more sustainable

The transport of people and goods needs to become more climate-friendly, and employers need an extra 49,000 workers for that. With that, the number of vacancies for the sustainability of mobility is twice as high as in 2016, benefits institution UWV and the Foundation for Cooperation on Vocational Education, Training and the Labour Market calculated. Eight years ago, there were around 18,000 vacancies for this.

More electric cars and buses will be needed to make transport more sustainable with the necessary charging infrastructure. But it is also about developing more efficient logistical chains, developing biofuel, and stimulating carpooling.

The most sought-after professionals concerning sustainability are technical professionals like car mechanics, installers, and IT staff. Spatial planning policy advisors and transport planners are also high on the list of most sought-after professionals for making mobility more sustainable. Because the labor market is tight and people with these qualities are wanted in other sectors, the UWV warns that employers must be creative in their search for staff.

One option is to retrain job seekers from other fields. Training your own staff is also an option to fill vacancies, suggests the UWV. The benefits agency said job seekers should also orient themselves broadly and consider a switch to another field.