Fewer vacancies for school-leavers

The number of job vacancies suitable for school-leavers fell from 81 to 19 thousand in the period 2000-2003. In relative terms financial institutions in particular had the fewest jobs for school-leavers: only one in ten jobs in this sector were suitable for this group. The share of jobs that are difficult to fill also dropped in this period.

Vacancies for school-leavers drop to one quarter

The number of unfilled vacancies fell from 183 thousand in 2000 to 81 thousand in 2003. Not all these vacancies are suitable for someone just out of school. In September 2000 school-leavers were able to choose from 44 percent of all vacancies. In September 2003 this had dropped to 24 percent.

Vacancies, 2000-2003

Strongest decrease for financial institutions

The share of jobs that are suitable for school-leavers dropped most sharply in financial institutions: from 40 to 11 percent. In construction, manufacturing, public administration, and trade and communication, too, the fall was substantial. In these sectors the share of jobs that were suitable for school-leavers decreased by more than half.

Percentage of vacancies for school-leavers by sector

Strong decrease in vacancies that are difficult to fill

Employers find it difficult to fill some vacancies. Between 2000 and 2003 the share of such vacancies fell substantially. At the end of September 2000, half of all vacant positions were difficult to fill. Three years later this was only one fifth. At the end of September 2003 employers reported difficulties finding people for 18 thousand vacancies.

Percentage of vacancies that are difficult to fill by sector

The share of vacancies that are difficult to fill decreased in all sectors of industry. The sharpest decrease took place in the hotel and restaurant sector: from 56 to 13 percent. In construction, agriculture and fishery, trade, and financial institutions, too, the share of these problem vacancies fell sharply. In 2003 the manufacturing industry had the largest share of problem vacancies. This sector had problems finding candidates for 3 thousand vacancies.

Jeremy Weidum