A major transformation awaits recruitment agencies

Three dominant forces – historically low unemployment, persistent regional disparities and rapid technological transformation – shaped Slovakia’s labour market in 2024.

According to data from ManpowerGroup, the top-ranked recruitment agency, as many as 79 percent of employers reported difficulties in filling vacancies. The greatest talent shortages were seen in transport and logistics (87 percent), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (82 percent), finance and real estate (81 percent), retail and services (80 percent), IT and technology (79 percent), and manufacturing (79 percent).

While the Bratislava Region and western Slovakia remain attractive to investors, central and eastern Slovakia continue to struggle with structural issues – higher unemployment, weaker infrastructure and a brain drain of skilled workers. “New investments now launching in these regions could bring about change,” says Zuzana Rumiz of ManpowerGroup Slovakia.

One of the year’s key developments was the reopening of employment opportunities for foreign workers after legislative restrictions were lifted. “The introduction of national visas has simplified the recruitment of workers from third countries,” explains Katarína Garajová, CEO of Maxin’s Group – Slovakia’s leading temporary employment agency and top-ranked quality service provider.

Darina Mokráňová, director of Index Nosluš – the second-highest ranked temporary employment agency – notes that the downturn in the German economy has also taken its toll. “Demand for temporary workers fell, but companies were reluctant to lay people off,” she says. They fear they would not be able to replace the workforce quickly if the situation improves.

The year 2024 was also marked by digitalisation. Companies invested in automation, artificial intelligence and smart solutions. This has led to a transformation in the nature of jobs and increased demands for digital skills.

Sectors of the future

There is soaring demand for skilled workers in technical fields – IT, data analytics, cybersecurity, automation and engineering. There’s also growing interest in ESG experts, green technologies and Industry 4.0.

“Artificial intelligence is a major game-changer. It’s reshaping not just how we work but also what skills are expected,” Rumiz explains. ManpowerGroup’s analysis suggests that over half of the skills required in manufacturing and IT will need to be significantly redefined. Key competencies will include digital literacy, data fluency and adaptability to new technologies.

Temporary workers remain a vital part of the labour market. Many firms now see them as an element of long-term personnel strategy. Demand for foreign temporary workers continues to rise – particularly from Ukraine, Kazakhstan, India and the Philippines. “Employers no longer expect cheap labour – they are looking for quality, which foreign workers can offer,” Mokráňová says. She emphasises that integration is crucial: “They generally acquire job skills quickly, but their willingness to stay depends on how well they are integrated into the workplace and society.” More emphasis is also being placed on effective onboarding and closer coordination between HR departments and production leads.

New roles for agencies

The strategic role of personnel agencies is expected to grow in 2025. “In a time of increasing staffing crises, technological shifts and labour market globalisation, professional HR services are becoming indispensable partners for businesses,” Rumiz says. Companies will turn to agencies not only for recruitment but also to adapt to hybrid work models, project teams and outsourced HR processes.

Rumiz also predicts a transformation in how recruitment itself is delivered. Digitalisation, diversity and ethics will become the norm, she says. Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is expected to see the strongest growth, offering companies the flexibility to scale their hiring processes.

The outlook is more complicated for temporary employment agencies. The automotive sector – traditionally their biggest client – is facing declining orders, rising costs and the shift to electric vehicles. “Agencies feel this immediately – fewer staff assignments, pressure on pricing,” Garajová notes. She sees logistics, energy, healthcare and defence as promising new directions for development.

Mokráňová is more cautious. She does not foresee a sharp drop in demand for workers, but rather a stabilisation. Employers, she believes, will be hesitant to expand production or boost staffing due to international uncertainties. “Temporary staffing agencies will remain an important tool for meeting short-term needs,” she adds. The quality of services – from selection to integration – will play a bigger role.