Companies are looking for staff, but finding the right skills remains a challenge . In the Cagliari service sector, 41% of companies surveyed plan to increase their workforce in the next twelve months, while 69% say they often or always encounter difficulties finding qualified workers.

This is the picture that emerged from the training needs analysis presented today at the T Hotel in Cagliari by EBiTer, the bilateral territorial body for the tertiary sector in the province of Cagliari. Conducted by Roberto Vegnuti Consulting between April and June 2026, the research involved 75 companies and 137 workers in the sector through online questionnaires.

The sample includes commerce and services: 26% of the companies interviewed operate in traditional retail trade, 23% in organized distribution, and 9% in wholesale trade. Other services account for 27%, professional and technical activities 5%, information and communication services, and financial and insurance activities 3% each. Fuel and combustibles trade, agents and representatives, warehousing and logistics, and real estate activities complete the picture, with 1% each. Geographically, 89% of the companies interviewed are based in the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, 4% in Medio Campidano, 4% in Sarrabus, and 3% in Sulcis.

"Behind these numbers are companies that want to grow and people who need to find stability, recognition, and prospects in their jobs," says Nella Milazzo , president of EBiTer Cagliari and regional secretary of Filcams CGIL. "Training must become a concrete bridge between these needs. To build it, we need to start by listening to companies and workers, identifying the skills they need, and making the courses accessible, useful, and compatible with people's lives."

Hiring intentions relate to both growth and turnover: 41% of companies plan to hire new staff in addition to their current workforce, while 12% plan to hire replacements. Of those intending to hire, 85% indicate operational roles, 28% technical and specialist roles, and 20% administrative roles.

The key issue remains recruitment. 62% of companies often encounter difficulties finding qualified personnel, and 7% always encounter them. Of those reporting the problem most frequently, 50% cite the limited availability of candidates in the area, while 48% cite lack of experience and insufficient technical skills. 38% cite expectations regarding work-life balance.

"The difficulty of matching supply and demand must be addressed in all its complexity," Milazzo continues. "Technical skills matter, but so do work organization, the conditions offered, and the ability to balance professional and family commitments. The quality of employment is integral to a sector's ability to attract and retain people."

(Unioneonline/AD)

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