NITO's Needs Survey 2026
This year's survey shows a continued shortage of qualified engineers, an increased need in the future and marked growth in the use of artificial intelligence in the companies.
NITO's needs survey shows that many companies are still struggling to recruit qualified engineers. At the same time, a majority expects increased demand in the years ahead. The survey also shows that artificial intelligence is being used in an increasing number of businesses, without significantly changing the need for engineering expertise.
Main findings from the survey
More than half of the companies (53%) find it difficult to get hold of qualified engineers for their business. The most common reason is a lack of qualified applicants (39%), followed by competition in the labour market (26%).
When positions are not filled, 36% answer that tasks are not solved. At the same time, 56% expect the need for engineers to increase in the next three years, and 58% believe it will still be difficult to get hold of qualified engineers in the next three years.
Half of the companies also believe they may lose engineering expertise in the next few years. The use of AI is increasing rapidly: 66% of businesses have adopted the technology, up from 46% in 2025.
56% state that they believe that there will be a need for more engineers in the future
In 2025, only 28% of the central government sector had used AI to solve work tasks. This has increased to 68% by 2026.
66% answer that the company has used AI to solve work tasks
NITO's Needs Survey 2026
About the needs survey
The purpose of the Needs Survey is to map how private and public enterprises experience the current situation and how they view the future with regard to meeting their need for engineers. By engineers, we mean people with 2-3 annual technological college education.
The survey is a follow-up and continuation of previous surveys conducted in 2001, 2004-2025. All the questions in this year's survey that have been asked in recent years form the basis for comparison in this report.
