Skills testing and training essential to minimise the impact of the crunch

With nearly two million British workers now facing unemployment as a result of the credit crunch, ensuring current staff are competent and any new staff are employed ëright first timeí has never been more important, says Essex-based talent management solutions company, Skillsarena.

With Britain seeing the worst unemployment figures since 1991, there are now 10 times more candidates in the talent pool. Companies are seeing vastly increased numbers of applications for any available vacancies and not just from those unemployed, but also those prospecting due to uncertainty.

Jason Pierce, Managing Director of Skillsarena, said: ìFor those in a position to employ, this is very much an employers market. However, organisations must remain focused on what the business needs and the potential pitfalls of employing over-qualified applicants that donít fit the defined role. In addition, many applicants will be driven to a ëget anythingí solution, and only deliver a short term false economy to the business. Organisations must look at skills testing as a tool to filter through these applications. To check skills are up to the job, the true application of testing should be to establish ëbest fit, right first timeí employment and better ongoing retention. This has never been more important than now.

ìIt is an unfortunate reality that the next few months will see the number of unemployed increasing rapidly and redundancies will be on the agenda for many companies. By using skills testing to assess core competencies and efficiencies of current staff, it is also possible to identify strengths and weaknesses of the business. Thereafter the implementation of effective training solutions, firms will become leaner during this turbulent period.î

According to the Office for National Statistics, Britainís unemployment rate is now 6% with over one million people claiming job seekers allowance. It is not just low level or administrative jobs at risk, managers are also set to suffer. The Management Consultancies Association is forecasting up to additional 360,000, will lose their jobs by 2010.

Jason continued, ìAlthough the government revealed it is set to launch a new training scheme for the unemployed, the project will not necessarily ensure that job seekers are selling themselves correctly to employers. The scheme also does not address the needs of businesses in relation to their current staff. It is the effectiveness of its staff and the efficiency of the business that will enable the crunch to be ridden out. That is why skills assessment and training remains an integral part of the employment and retention process. Good training helps to retain good people.î

Founded in 2001, Essex-based Skillsarena is the UKís most innovative provider of skills testing and training solutions for national and international corporations, as well as the public sector, small businesses and the recruitment sector.

For more information about Skillsarena, log on to www.skillsarena.co.uk or telephone 0845 434 8959.