Brazil ranks seventh in global study on private sector’s struggle to find skilled professionals
01/24/2025
Brazilian companies are among those most vocal globally about struggling to find skilled professionals. This sentiment is echoed by 81% of businesses, placing Brazil seventh among 42 countries and territories participating this year in the Talent Shortage survey, conducted by ManpowerGroup, a workforce solutions organization, and reviewed exclusively by Valor.
Germany (86%), Israel (85%), and Portugal (84%) top the ranking. The global average is 74%.
According to Wilma Dal Col, Chief Human Resources Officer at ManpowerGroup, multiple factors contribute to the high level of complaints from Brazilian companies regarding the workforce. She explains that the job market is undergoing “exponential” technological advancement, which affects the perception of the requirements for tasks and learning.
“The academic world does not keep pace with the job market, which is intensely experiencing digital evolution and transformation,” she said.
Ms. Dal Col identifies talent shortage as one of the biggest challenges faced by employers in Brazil and worldwide. “Rapid digital transformation, demographic changes, globalization, and the increasing complexity of organizational demands make it even more challenging to find the ideal professional for a specific role,” she noted.
For the past three years, Brazil has maintained a steady position in this survey. Ms. Dal Col sees it as a negative sign, indicating that the country fails to provide continuous professional qualification.
“Companies need to be more sensitive and recognize that they have talented internal personnel. Rather than searching the market, they should invest in their employees,” she suggests. “Ready-made individuals aren’t always available, as humans aren’t born ready. Therefore, there’s a need for continuous effort in qualification.”
Additionally, Ms. Dal Col noted that, for the first time in history, four generations can work together within the same institution. This scenario is challenging as it requires understanding the specificities and ambitions of each life stage, she added.
“The younger generation needs to develop more ‘soft skills,’ for example, while the more mature individuals should focus on skills and training to handle technology more proficiently,” she explained. “Young people often switch jobs quickly, seeking a sense of purpose. Perhaps organizations aren’t yet speaking their language to retain and attract talent.”
The sectors most affected by employability issues in Brazil include transportation, logistics, and automotive (91%), finance and real estate (86%), energy and utilities (85%), and information technology (84%).
The transportation and logistics sector tops the Brazilian list driven by the significant increase in e-commerce since the pandemic, which has created a demand for professionals in this field, the specialist noted. There’s a need for professionals across various levels and requirements.
“Everyone from drivers and stock clerks to high-tech app managers is needed. In other words, a huge variety,” she said.
The survey also examined the talent shortage across different Brazilian states. São Paulo’s capital shows the highest rate, with 88% of employers reporting difficulties in finding professionals with the necessary skills. In the São Paulo state, excluding the capital, the rate is 84%. The list continues with Minas Gerais (83%), Paraná (75%), and Rio de Janeiro (74%).
To tackle and possibly resolve this challenge, organizations are rethinking their strategies for attracting, retaining, and developing talent. According to the survey, key initiatives adopted in Brazil include upskilling and reskilling employees (40%); seeking new talent pools (26%); offering location flexibility, such as hybrid or remote work (24%); and flexible working hours (20%). These are followed by salary adjustments for greater competitiveness (19%), paid job ads (17%), outsourcing roles (17%), and adopting Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) (16%).
According to Ms. Dal Col, soft skills, such as adaptability and problem-solving, are increasingly valued by employers. She added that recruiting difficulties directly impact productivity and limit organizations’ innovation and competitiveness in a constantly changing landscape.
*By Alex Jorge Braga — São Paulo
Source: Valor International