Survey Shows Pharmaceutical Companies Are Facing Serious Future Recruitment Issues

30/08/2006 09:38:00

Results of a new survey, published today, into issues facing job seekers in the pharmaceutical market has highlighted problems regarding recruitment techniques and provision for on-the-job training. Whilst demand for experienced candidates, with at least two to three years’ experience is rising, provision for graduate and market entry training is in decline. As a result, in the short-term the industry is facing a candidate driven market with spiralling salaries and in the long-term a serious skills shortage.

The survey conducted, by Blue Pelican Group, amongst the UK’s leading pharmaceutical recruitment companies highlighted that 79% are currently experiencing recruitment issues with 86% stating that this related to lack of candidates deemed to be suitable by the pharmaceutical industry.

Recruitment is more effective if handled by line-managers, able to fully interpret qualifications and expertise on a CV, unfortunately time constraints means that in most cases recruitment is now being handled by overstretched human resource departments. 36% of recruitment companies are now finding it increasingly difficult to meet with the recruiting line managers and with only an estimated 50% of human resource professionals coming from a scientific background 57% of those questioned reported that skilled candidates are being rejected without adequate feedback causing acute frustration amongst those applicants.

When asked about potential candidates’ attitude to the UK pharmaceutical market the survey showed that 43% of recruitment companies have seen an increase in the number of highly skilled candidates seeking jobs abroad and 14% even reported that some candidates are being interviewed and offered jobs abroad quicker than receiving an initial response from a UK company.

Commenting on the survey results Oliver Leger, Executive Search Consultant, Pharmaceutical Division, Blue Pelican Group said, “The current market is already experiencing an exodus of highly skilled candidates. Pharmaceutical companies are not investing enough in training programmes; very few visit universities to tempt graduates, and for those who are tempted there are few openings for them because of lack of training. The recruitment process is protracted and skilled candidates are getting frustrated. As an industry we are urging pharmaceutical companies to work in greater collaboration with us to improve the situation. The pharmaceutical market is still appealing but the current trends in recruitment processes are damaging. Partnership with a professional recruitment consultant can improve company image as well as efficiency in candidate handling.”

For more information please contact:
Charlotte Messer, Aquamarine PR

Tel: 01892 862137

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