Tact Personnel Employment trends survey reveals the growing skills shortage in Exeter

An employment trends survey by Tact Personnel, one of Exeterís oldest recruitment consultancies, amongst clients and candidates highlights the benefits of temporary staff when faced with the difficulties of finding permanent staff. Tact Personnel specialises in the placement of temporary, contract and permanent staff to the commercial and industrial sectors.

Amongst clients, only 35% were aware of the relatively low current unemployment rate in Exeter, but nearly 70% of those questioned, used temporary staff. About 80% saw the quality of temporary staff as their biggest issue. To show the value they place on temporary staff 76% would pay the same as permanent staff, with 51% saying they would pay more for a good reliable temporary member of staff.

However the survey does highlight the difficulties faced by businesses recruiting permanent staff, with many employers selecting less skilled staff who can be trained internally. Tact highlights to its client the importance of attracting and retaining good staff by making themselves more competitive in the marketplace. The main area in which both surveys recorded a serious concern was in the loss of local talent to other areas outside the South West and the single reason shown for relocation was salary.

Louise Kane, business manager for Tact Personnel, said: ìFaced with a relatively low unemployment rate in Exeter, recruiting staff has become more difficult. We would advise companies to review their motivation incentives; benefit packages, flexible working hours and more importantly salaries as a way of differentiating themselves in a crowded marketplace.î

Tact Personnel, part of Spring Group, the UKís largest recruitment agency, provides an exclusive service to companies in Exeter, enabling them to offer detailed local market knowledge gained through decades of experience, to candidates and clients.