🇮🇹 Most Needed Skills in Italy 2026: Employers Struggle to Find Qualified Workers

Rome, 20 December 2025 — EUit News

Italy is entering 2026 with one of the strongest demands for skilled workers seen in the last decade, according to new labour data released by the Ministry of Economic Development and several private recruitment agencies. Despite improvements in hiring activity, employers across the country continue to report significant skill shortages, especially in technology, healthcare and engineering.

Industry experts say the shift is driven by digital transformation, an ageing workforce, and new EU economic policies that encourage innovation and green transition.

1. Digital & Technology Skills Lead the Rankings

Italy’s tech sector is expected to grow by 14% in 2026, creating thousands of new vacancies.

Most requested digital skills:

Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning
Cybersecurity specialists
Full-stack & Mobile Developers
Cloud engineers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
Data analysts & data scientists

Companies in Milan, Turin, and Bologna report difficulty filling positions even with high salaries, citing a limited domestic talent pool and strong competition from European employers.

2. Healthcare Professionals in Critical Demand

With Italy maintaining one of the oldest populations in Europe, hospitals and private healthcare providers continue to face shortages.

Top healthcare roles needed:

Registered nurses
Elder-care specialists
Physiotherapists
Medical technicians
General practitioners

The health sector is expected to open over 40,000 new positions by the end of 2025.

🔵 3. Engineering & Technical Trades Rebound

Italy’s manufacturing and automotive industries—especially in Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Piedmont—report strong demand for specialised workers.

Skills in shortage include:

Mechanical & electrical engineers
CNC machine operators
Industrial automation specialists
Robotics technicians
Civil engineers for infrastructure renewal

The government’s infrastructure plan for 2026–2030 is expected to accelerate demand even further.

🔵 4. Green Economy Skills Rise Rapidly

With Italy pushing toward EU climate targets, green skills are becoming essential.

High-demand skills in the green sector:

Renewable energy technicians
Solar & wind installation experts
Environmental compliance officers
Sustainable construction specialists
Waste management and recycling engineers

Companies in this sector report a 20–30% talent shortage.

🔵 5. Hospitality & Tourism Need Multilingual Staff

As tourism rebounds, Italy continues to face shortages in hospitality roles, particularly in major tourist cities.

Most needed roles:

Chefs and kitchen staff
Hotel receptionists
EU language translators
Tour guides
Customer service specialists

Fluency in English, French, German or Spanish is considered a major advantage.

Italy enters 2026 with strong hiring momentum but a widening skills gap. Digital professionals, healthcare workers, engineers, and green-tech specialists are among the most in-demand profiles. Experts suggest that foreign workers with the right qualifications may find excellent opportunities as Italy increasingly relies on international talent to fill shortages.