Findings from the Canton of Zurich’s “Fokus Standort” programme
Around 150 stakeholders from business, science and administration discussed the future of the business location at the Canton of Zurich's "Fokus Standort" event. The focus was on skilled labour, technology, regulation and mobility - with concrete solutions for sustainable growth.
In order to position the canton of Zurich as an attractive business location in the long term, the Department of Economic Affairs is focusing on dialogue and collaboration. Current trends and challenges, including digitalisation, skills shortages and regulatory developments, were analysed at the “Fokus Standort” event.
The discussion was based on the “Canton of Zurich location trend analysis”, which identified four key influencing factors: artificial intelligence and automation, demographic change, increasing regulatory density and economic uncertainty in relation to the EU.
Workshops on key location topics
Challenges and solutions were discussed in depth in four topic-specific workshops.
Skilled workers: How can the labour market situation be stabilised through a better work-life balance, technological innovations and longer working lives?
Technology: What role does artificial intelligence play in companies and educational institutions, and how can digital skills be promoted in a targeted manner?
Regulation: How can companies be relieved in order to ensure competitiveness despite increasing administrative requirements?
Mobility: What concepts can reduce travelling distances and promote sustainable transport solutions?
The measures developed are now to be further developed in working groups and translated into concrete recommendations for action.
Demographic change and labour shortage
Government Councillor Carmen Walker Späh opened the discussion on demographic change. She emphasised that the rising number of retirees and the low number of new recruits represent a major challenge for the labour market. In addition to a better work-life balance, technological efficiency improvements and longer working lives are key solutions.
In the concluding panel discussion with leading business and industry representatives, further strategies to combat the labour shortage were discussed. The Canton of Zurich is thus focussing on a constructive exchange in order to make the business location fit for the future.