Europe is home to various industries. With the constant technological developments and advances in the world, it appears that the European job market has adapted to the needs of the times, with the occupational shift happening in the various regions and countries in the EU.
With Europe being one of the main centers of labor markets and clusters, it comes as no surprise that it has advanced some industries more than most. This is owed to the shift in occupations and demands happening across various markets, with a greater emphasis on more skilled workers than ever.
To know more about the dominating job market in Europe, read on. This article will give a more in-depth look at what the most common job market is in the EU and the reasons behind it.
- Get to Know the Most Common Field of Work in Europe
- Working in the Manufacturing Industry
- Types of Jobs Available
- Industry Outlook and Environment
- How to Join the Manufacturing Industry
Get to Know the Most Common Field of Work in Europe
According to Statista, the most common job market in the whole of Europe today is the manufacturing sector. Despite the global health crisis that the region experienced due to the pandemic, the business activity in the zone has been consistantly on the rise.
In a report released by Reuters, factories in the region have seen a significant rise in work and pace in more than 23 years. This is evidenced not only by Germany’s economic activity but also by that of France and Britain.
Manufacturing spans various types of work. Although the region is known for its luxury cars and premium-made vehicle parts and accessories, it also dabbles into heavy machinery and equipment, chemical industries, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, bicycles, textiles, food and beverages, and more.
The region is also active in printing and publishing, as well as producing other specialty goods, with each country belonging in the EU having its own unique product or good. Next to the manufacturing industry, the job market that is the most common is the wholesale and retail trade.
Why Manufacturing Is the Most Common
The move towards localized supply chains stems not only from the desire to strengthen the economic activity of Europe, but also to prove that they are one of the leading regions and sectors to do so across the world.
Another reason why the manufacturing job market may be the most prevalent across the European region is that there is a great emphasis on creating high-paying jobs in the sector, something which could also boost economic activity and resiliency in the region.
More importantly, Europe is no stranger to the industrial revolution and the constant evolution that comes with it. Because of this, it is regularly recognized as a leading producer of iron and steel, both of which are used across mining, heavy machine tools, construction, vehicle-making, and more.
Working in the Manufacturing Industry
Working in the manufacturing industry covers tons of sectors. These include transportation, food, beverage, tobacco, specialty goods, computer and electronics, furniture, coal, chemicals, petroleum, rubber, and plastics, appliances and electrical equipment, and many others.
More often than not, jobs in manufacturing require individuals and companies alike to worth together to create and produce new materials or components, usually in higher numbers catered to the masses or the bigger public.
Those who belong in this job market produce new items or goods from raw materials.
Workers in the field are also involved in assembling components through different means, such as physical assembly, or even through mechanical or chemical use.
Number of Individuals Working in the Industry
A study by Statista said that by the third quarter of 2020, there are approximately 35 million individuals working in the manufacturing job sector in the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Companies such as Volkswagen AG, Daimler AG, Siemens AG, Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, and Continental AG are just some of the leading companies in the manufacturing sector that employ hundreds of thousands of employees under their name.
With an emphasis on the technological advancements in the industry, employment opportunities in the field are slated to open and heighten, especially taking to account the number of individuals that will be retiring due to old age.
Types of Jobs Available
Given the extensive coverage and reach of the manufacturing sector, there certainly are an array of jobs available for just about anyone looking to work in the industry.
However, individuals should bear in mind that these can require specialized approaches, experiences, and education, although this can depend largely on the line of work.
Some of the jobs available in the field include bakers in manufacturing facilities to produce a variety of baked goods; assemblers and fabricators who are mainly tasked with studying instructions and putting parts together; and warehouse workers that are in charge of prepping and shipping goods to customers.
In addition to these aforementioned positions, the manufacturing industry also works with numerous power plant operators, quality control inspectors, welders, cutters, solderers, stationary engineers, boiler operators, food processing operators, jewelers, and more.
Duties and Responsibilities of Individuals Working in the Industry
With the manufacturing market’s reach, the duties and responsibilities of an individual working in this particular job market can vary from one position to other.
For example, those that are directly working with raw products and materials, such as manufacturing technicians, are given the task to set up and operate the necessary equipment to churn out goods while meeting the required safety standards.
Meanwhile, managers who are tasked with dealing with workers and day-to-day operations of the plant or the factory perform monitoring activities. Moreover, these individuals also take the time to perform quality control as well as generally oversee the factories to ensure smooth-sailing business.
Industry Outlook and Environment
As an emphasis towards localized supply chains and creating more job opportunities is the focus, especially during the global pandemic, there is no denying that the manufacturing industry is expected to bring higher recruitment in the long run.
This is coupled with the need to constantly innovate and improve the technologies and advancements being used in the industry.
As the demand for manufactured products across the world continues to rise, these would require additional manpower to fill these slots, despite employing sophisticated means.
While the manufacturing sector is always on the lookout for more cost-effective ways of producing goods, and while this can possibly slightly reduce the job opportunities in certain fields, there is no doubt that the pay will still be competitive and quite high. This can be owed to the high-risk environments and the fast-paced production required.
Salary Range and Growth
Just as the variety of jobs in the manufacturing industry within the European job market exist, one must know that the salary range of these jobs also varies from one position to another.
According to Statista, the average median labor cost of those working in the field of manufacturing in 2018 saw that Norway commanded the highest per hour payment, reaching €47.2 per hour. Meanwhile, this rate is contrasted with Bulgaria’s rate which pays €4.7 per hour per employee.
With some sectors within the manufacturing industry requiring a more skilled and specialized approach, individuals who fall under these positions may also command a higher salary.
How to Join the Manufacturing Industry
As mentioned before, the manufacturing industry is one of the biggest job markets, if not the biggest market, in the whole of Europe. Because of this, the job opportunities for individuals who want to gain access to this field are countless.
To enter the industry, individuals should take the time to perfect their skills, take on additional training, and even continue their way towards higher education. This especially comes in handy for specialized positions that require further experience and training.
To start applying, individuals can use specialized job search websites such as Indeed, TotalJobs, CWJobs UK, and other similar pages to jumpstart their application.
Each of these allows applicants to build a profile, upload their resume, and filter out job searches according to their desired location, salary, and the like.
Tips for Applying
The European job market is quite competitive, but this does not mean that aspiring workers in the field could not make it.
To be successful in the desired field, individuals applying must have their skills and experiences honed for the particular job that they are eyeing.
Another way that individuals can enter the field is to try their luck not just in the country that they are in, but in countries in Europe that have the most positions available. In this case, Germany is considered one of the leading manufacturers in the region.
The Bottom Line
The European job market continues to have a steady demand for people interested in entering the manufacturing sector.
As economic activity in the region picks up, the EU can expect more specialists and individuals to join the industry workforce over time.