Overview

• Demographic retirements are identified as the primary driver behind the projected rise in unfilled skilled positions from 487,000 in 2024 to 768,000 by 2028.
• Sales occupations face the steepest gap, with vacancies expected to jump from about 12,900 to over 40,000 without increased recruitment.
• Early childhood educators, social workers and nursing professionals are each forecast to have roughly 30,800, 21,150 and 21,350 vacancies, respectively, by 2028.
• Despite a 26 percent growth forecast for IT roles due to digitalization, that expansion falls short of meeting overall demand.
• Experts recommend measures including enhanced school-based career guidance, incentives for extended workforce participation, large-scale skilled immigration and pension age reforms.