78% of Spanish companies have difficulty finding the talent they need in their workforce, according to the Talent Mismatch 2024 report by the human resources consultancy ManpowerGroup.

This phenomenon, known as the talent mismatch, has increased over the past decade, rising from 3% to 78% between 2024 and 2024. Identifying what technical knowledge and soft skills (soft skills) employers require and training in them will help narrow this talent gap, the research says.

The 5 technical skills most demanded by companies

1. Mastering technology and data analysis. 

For 32% of companies it is essential for employees to master new information technologies and data analysis.

Professionals who excel in this field are able to collect, analyze, interpret and present data in computer systems. These capabilities are highly valued by organizations seeking to gain competitive advantage through Big Data analysis.

2. Engineering studies.

19% of organizations are interested in hiring employees trained in some engineering.

These professionals work on the creation of infrastructure, technologies, products and systems to solve global problems such as climate change, food security, sustainable development or technological progress.

3. Manufacturing and production management.

People who master this skill are able to transform raw materials into finished products efficiently and effectively.
This includes understanding production processes, from production design and planning to supply chain management.
Despite automation, the ability to manage and improve manufacturing and production processes remains essential for 18% of companies.

4. Sales and marketing.

Professionals trained in sales and marketing bring together a set of skills and knowledge necessary to promote, sell, and develop effective marketing strategies for products or services.
They also work to build and maintain strong client relationships, identify new market opportunities and adapt their strategies to the changing digital and global environment.
For 17% of companies, it is essential that employees have these skills, as it allows them to better understand their customers and develop innovative strategies to attract and retain them.

5. Training for sustainability.

17% of companies seek talent trained in sustainability to minimize the environmental impact of their operations.
Growing environmental concerns are increasingly seeking sustainability specialists to develop greener corporate practices.

The soft skills that companies value the most

In addition to valuing technical knowledge, companies also look at indirect competencies or soft skills when recruiting new talent into their workforce. The most valued are:

1. Communication and teamwork.

4 out of 10 organizations (39%) believe that employees should have this indirect competence, which is why it is valued the most. Those with this are able to interact effectively with others, share ideas, actively listen, and constructively contribute to team goals.

2. Reasoning and problem solving.

For 34% of companies, it is important for employees to think critically and solve problems effectively in order to overcome daily challenges at work.

3. Reliability and self-discipline.

This ability includes people's ability to be consistent in their performance, deliver on commitments, and manage time and responsibilities effectively. Having this ability is essential for 32% of the surveyed companies.

4. Continuous learning and curiosity.

In a rapidly changing environment, 29% of companies highly value the willingness to learn and the curiosity to acquire new knowledge.

5. Proactivity.

24% of companies expect their employees to anticipate future situations, taking the initiative to find opportunities to solve problems and improve.
Talent mismatch is data that reflects employers' assessment of the difficulty of finding and integrating the profiles they need.
The logistics, transport and automotive sector is on the list with the greatest talent disparity in Spain, reaching 86%.

Technical sheet

The Talent Mismatch 2024 study, prepared by the human resources consultancy ManpowerGroup, aims to analyze global labor market trends and identify the talent gap in the world's leading economies. The data in this report are based on responses from 40,077 companies in 41 countries, of which 1,050 are Spanish.

Definition of professional skills

Professional skills to perform a specific job or certain professional activities. they are an integrated set of skills, knowledge and abilities needed to develop. Each job requires different skills; therefore, depending on your professional goal, you will need to develop one or the other. It is important to know your skills and what will be required in the job you want to identify your areas of improvement and find the best opportunities to develop those skills.

Types of professional skills

Professional skills can be classified into two large groups: Technical skills; Indirect skills.