- Research conducted by leading recruitment agency, Glu Recruit, has revealed that 69% of UK based employers are experiencing skill shortages.
- The research found that 72% of employers felt that this skill shortage was increasing the workload on other staff.
- 36% of employers said it was reducing the long-term growth plans of the business.
- Glu Recruit have partnered with Whyy? Change, a leading training provider, to tackle the issue.
South Yorkshire based recruitment agency, Glu Recruit, have found that 69% of employers in the UK are experiencing skill shortages.
1310 organisations, from all business sectors and sizes, were surveyed and almost three quarters of respondents said that these shortages were directly increasing the workload of other staff members.
Almost half of those surveyed (46%) claimed that skill shortages are leading to reduced activity or output among employees, while 36% said that they are reducing long-term growth plans.
56% of large organisations surveyed state they will increase investment in staff training over the next year, compared to 47% of SMEs.
Glu Recruit have entered a new partnership with leading training provider, Whyy? Change, to tackle both recruitment and training solutions collectively.
Ray Byrne, CEO of Whyy? Change, commented on the research and said, “The clarion call on a skill deficit has finally come to pass. In the short-term employers are reacting to the current state, hopefully with the crisis upon us, we leaders are open to challenge on how it came to pass, but more importantly what’s the plan.
On one hand I’m shocked that 36% of respondents report a reduction in long-term growth plans, but on the other side, not really. Not really because I’m faced with the same challenges.
I employ a team of eight, two of which are ‘up-skilling’ via an apprenticeship, yet I need to invest again. The real question is NOT how much we intend to invest, but how we want to build a plan, where talent wants to stay?”
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of job vacancies in February to April 2022, rose to a new record of 1,295,000, making the number of vacancies larger than the number of people unemployed.
Rob Shaw, Managing Director at Glu Recruit, said, “It’s been interesting to be given an insight into how employers feel about the current skills shortage. The statistics speak for themselves in regard to the need for employment packages that appeal to candidates from a career development point of view.
“For the first time, we’re experiencing more vacancies than candidates, meaning employee retention has never been more key.
“We pride ourselves on making placements that stick, but with a thought out, action led and reviewed retention strategy, employees will feel more valued – meaning they’re more likely to stick with a job.
“Candidates are shopping around for an employment package that not only offers a competitive salary and usual perks but also offers a commitment to training, upskilling, and career development.
“That’s why we’ve partnered with Whyy? Change, so employers can tackle their recruitment and training issues at once.”
Employers can explore the partnership further here.
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