Professional transport taxi driver is on the list of 'promising professions' for the first time.
The Dutch labor market is constantly changing. Every year, the UWV publishes a list of professions that offer good to excellent job opportunities. Although the tightness on the labor market seems to have passed its peak, the demand for personnel remains greater than the supply. The labor market is also expected to remain tight in 2024, which means that many organizations will continue to struggle with staff shortages.
However, the shortage is not the same in every sector. This makes it important for job seekers to know where the most opportunities lie at the moment. The UWV has mapped out these opportunities based on recent figures on the number of vacancies and the number of job seekers. The data was then checked with sector experts in order to be able to provide an up-to-date and accurate overview of the promising professions.
In the most recent report of the UWV, a number of striking professions stand out, including the mention of taxi driver professional transport. For the first time, this profession is on the list of promising professions, which indicates that there is a growing demand for taxi drivers. In many cases, it concerns part-time work, which makes the profession attractive to people who are looking for flexibility in their working hours.
tightness in the labor market
Although there are signs that the worst shortage on the labor market is over, the demand for personnel remains high in many sectors. Especially in sectors such as healthcare, technology and transport, the number of vacancies is still considerably higher than the number of available employees. This is causing organizations to have great difficulty finding suitable candidates. "We see that many companies are having difficulty filling their vacancies, especially in sectors that require specific skills," says a spokesperson for the UWV.
Despite the persistent shortage, there are visible differences between the sectors. For example, there is still a major shortage of skilled workers in the technical sector and construction, while demand in other sectors, such as retail, is stabilising or even decreasing slightly. This makes it all the more important to look at where the opportunities lie per sector.
An interesting fact is that the list of promising professions increasingly includes part-time and flexible jobs.
Hethe overview of promising professions of the UWV gives a clear picture of where the most opportunities lie in 2024. In addition to taxi drivers professional transport, there are other professions that stand out. For example, the demand for healthcare personnel remains high. Nurses, carers and specialised healthcare personnel are sought all over the country, both in hospitals and in home care.
In the technical sector, there is a shortage of welders, electricians and maintenance engineers in particular. Companies in the manufacturing industry and construction often have difficulty filling their vacancies for technical positions. In education, too, the demand for teachers remains high, especially in primary education. This is not only due to the ageing of teachers, but also to a continued growth in the number of pupils.
Another sector where shortages remain visible is the ICT sector. There is a constant need for IT specialists, including software developers, data analysts and cybersecurity experts. These professions not only offer good job opportunities, but often also attractive employment conditions and opportunities for growth.
part-time work
An interesting fact is that the list of promising professions increasingly includes part-time and flexible jobs. This is partly due to the changing needs of employees, who increasingly value flexibility and a good work-life balance. The profession of professional transport taxi driver is a good example of this. These are often part-time functions in which the driver himself has influence on the working hours. For many job seekers, especially those who want to combine work with other obligations, this offers attractive opportunities.
The inclusion of professional transport taxi driver on the list of promising professions is also a sign that good job opportunities also exist in sectors that are traditionally less in the spotlight. According to the UWV, the demand for drivers has increased mainly due to a growth in the use of taxi services and the need for flexible transport options in urban areas.
job seekers
For job seekers it remains of great importance to stay informed of developments in the labour market. The UWV therefore advises to keep a close eye on the list of promising professions and to follow additional education or training to increase the chances of a job. The list of promising professions is a valuable tool for many job seekers to determine in which direction they can develop their career.
With the ongoing tightness in the labor market, there are still plenty of opportunities for job seekers, provided they focus on the sectors where the demand is greatest. Whether it is a career in healthcare, technology or even transportation, the labor market continues to move and offers opportunities for those who are willing to take the right steps.