Member Article

Employers risk stalling growth by favouring skills over talent

REPORT WARNS EMPLOYERS RISK STALLING GROWTH BY FAVOURING SKILLS OVER TALENT

A survey of UK businesses conducted by recruitment consultancy Calibre Search shows many continue to favour skills over talent, although they do acknowledge their future recruitment needs should be supported by more investment in training.

Leeds-based Calibre Search conducted a survey of its corporate clients in the built environment, IT and marketing sectors in the run-up to the election amid headlines about the threat to Britain’s economy of skills shortages.

Managing director Mark Lyons commented that employers remain optimistic about finding candidates who can “hit the deck running” despite the widely reported skills shortages, particularly in the construction and engineering sectors.

Over 65 per cent of respondents expect to recruit people with relevant skills, and over 40 per cent expect to find more new starters to join their organisations than last year.

“This is good news for skilled jobseekers, but employers should take note of the drive to recruit skilled workers and take steps to safeguard their talent pool,” says Mark.

“Skills shortages continue to make the headlines, particularly in the construction sector, so employers should cast their recruitment nets wider to find the right candidates. Transferable skills should not be ignored; it could potentially be damaging for growing businesses to wait for the exact skill set match.”

Investment in training and development for employees looks set to rise, with over 90 per cent of respondents anticipating they will spend the same or more than they did in the last 12 months.

“It’s definitely a sellers’ market, if we draw comparisons with the property market,” adds Mark. “Individuals with the right qualifications and experience are in an excellent position. We’re advising firms looking to grow their business and workforce to put together packages which address both development and remuneration to attract and retain the best candidates.”

For more information and to see the results of the survey in full, please contact Mark Lyons, Calibre Search mark.lyons@calibresearch.co.uk.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

Calibre Search is a specialist recruitment consultancy operating in the built environment (construction and consultancy), HVAC/refrigeration & building maintenance, IT and marketing sectors throughout the UK. The 18-strong team, based in Leeds and Manchester, recruits for organisations varying from large multinationals and local authorities to small independents in the permanent, temporary and contract/interim employment markets for applicants of all levels of seniority.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Helen Kitchen .