20/09/2025
In Canada, nearly 700,000 skilled trades workers are expected to retire by 2028 (many in industrial trades), creating shortages in sectors like manufacturing, transportation, and utilities. The EU faces similar dynamics. Although Europe has strong vocational training traditions in countries like Germany, manufacturers Europe-wide report difficulty hiring for technical operator roles. There is a particular shortage of workers adept in new technologies such as automation, robotics maintenance, and green manufacturing processes (e.g. battery cell production). Meanwhile, the GCC’s manufacturing sector – traditionally smaller – is expanding as part of economic diversification. GCC industries (e.g. petrochemicals, renewable energy equipment, food processing) need plant operators, maintenance technicians, and skilled trades. However, local skills supply is limited, meaning these countries often import talent or invest heavily in training programs to upskill their youth. For example, GCC employers cite a skills gap in technical fields like oil & gas operations, industrial maintenance, and logistics.