Vocational integration as a solution to the shortage of skilled workers

The platform Compasso is a neutral and nationally active network with a broad sponsorship of over 90 members. It plays an important role in the occupational integration of people with disabilities by networking employers with the relevant system partners in order to jointly develop practical processes and instruments.

Vocational (re)integration as a solution to the shortage of skilled workers

Following this vision, the theme of this year's symposium was: "Vocational (re)integration as a solution to the shortage of skilled workers - an untapped potential".
Experts from the fields of economic consulting, specialized agencies for labor integration as well as from the social insurance area presented their findings, successful practical examples as well as the first results of an ongoing study on the subject of the shortage of skilled workers at the IV-Stelle Bern. The goal of the event was the exchange of ideas, the development of solution approaches as well as the elaboration of concrete measures to combat the shortage of skilled workers under the aspect of (re)integration. The participants included representatives of the largest Swiss employers such as SBB, Swisscom, Swiss Post, executives and decision-makers from SMEs, as well as integration and social partner specialists from renowned foundations and organizations.

The signs of the times discussed included demographic change, weak compatibility of work and non-work responsibilities, and the desire for more flexible working models. These are among the greatest challenges facing the Swiss labor market. In the near future, there will be a shortage of many workers in Switzerland. In order to counteract the expected labor shortage in Switzerland, future-oriented solutions are now required.

Making better use of resources

The conference participants agreed that there is potential in the professional (re)integration of people who have dropped out of working life due to illness or accident or who are at risk of dropping out. The (re)integration into the labor market creates the opportunity to better exploit domestic know-how, which benefits both the economy and society.

This year's Compasso symposium was dedicated to some approaches on how the potential of vocational (re)integration for the Swiss labor market can be presented and used in concrete terms. Through contributions from experts and a moderated exchange of experiences, it was possible to find out what untapped potential vocational (re)integration represents and how it can counteract the future challenges of the Swiss labor market. Breakout courses dealt with barrier-free recruitment processes, the sustainable design of employment relationships for professionals with an impairment, and the topic of lateral entry.