A national survey conducted by SAVOIRSOCIAL, the Swiss umbrella organisation for vocational training in the social sector, and SASSA, the Swiss Conference of Universities of Applied Sciences for Social Work, revealed a delicate situation in the Swiss social sector. The data showed that organisations struggle to find qualified staff and face high staff turnover and difficulties in filling vacancies, which overloads current employees.
The study involved approximately 1,700 employers in the social sector with a total of 31,500 employees working in the social sector, analysing all areas of social work in Switzerland. Through questionnaires, interviews and statistical data, it was possible to obtain a comprehensive view of the difficulties the sector is facing and which require targeted action.
The results in brief
Growth in the social sector
Since 2016, the sector has experienced significant growth in both the number of institutions and staff employed. The number of degrees awarded for social professions has also increased, accounting for 6.2 per cent of total degrees in 2023. This growth is mainly attributable to basic and higher vocational training.
Increase in qualified personnel
Compared to a similar study conducted in 2016, the percentage of people without a formal diploma in the social sector has decreased. Currently, more than 60 per cent of all employees are qualified staff with a formal diploma in a social profession. Moreover, about half of all employees working in the social sector have completed a tertiary level education.
The lowest percentage of qualified personnel is found in complementary family and extracurricular care. In this field, 40% of people working in the social sector do not have a formal diploma.
Many young men and women workers
The sector is characterised by a strong presence of young people: about half of the workers are under 37, while only 14% are over 55. This is particularly evident in services for children and young people or for those dealing with migration and asylum.
Difficulties in recruiting qualified staff and high staff mobility
The study shows that recruitment has become more expensive and more demanding than in the past, even for the filling of management positions. More often than not, institutions therefore have to compromise and recruit people with the required qualification but not within the desired timeframe.
Another problematic aspect is staff mobility: there is a significant number of employees who change jobs after only a few years, especially in German-speaking Switzerland. Resignations are mostly motivated by excessive workloads, inadequate salaries and a desire for professional change. This high turnover rate results in an increased workload for other employees and longer and more costly recruitment processes.
Future trends
The future presents further challenges: the demand for qualified personnel is expected to grow over the next five years, especially in services for children and young people. This need is primarily due to the increasing complexity of work, which requires more qualified personnel.
The complete study is available at
鈥�