Attract the best to address your skills gap

Findings from our recent benefits survey based on responses from over 10,000 employers and employees from our 2015 Salary Guide, has revealed that employers are confident their business activity will increase.

By Lucinda Millar, senior manager, Hays.

This, in turn, will result in greater hiring as two thirds of those employers questioned stated they were planning to increase headcount over the year.

However, skills shortages are becoming more of an acute issue, as in the downturn organisations were not taking on new staff and subsequently, this has produced a shorter supply of individuals who possess a number of years’ experience in the world of work or the skills business needs. 79 per cent of employers responded stating they were concerned that they will encounter a shortage of suitable candidates when they look to hire.

Not only is confidence returning to businesses, we are also seeing that confidence has significantly increased among job seekers in Lancashire, with 63 per cent anticipating that they will move jobs within the year.

More than half (59 per cent) stated they were dissatisfied with their pay and almost half (49 per cent) stated that there isn’t scope for progressing in their current role, the propensity to find a new job is already high and likely to increase further.

So with the increasing competition for experienced and skilled professionals, it has never been more important for organisations to consider what employees want both to attract new employees and keep their staff. Employers that are looking to attract the best candidates should consider their employees’ desire for future career opportunities, and make their career prospects and the opportunities to develop skills clear to current staff and those looking to move alike.