RETENTION
Lack of skills major factor in UK recruitment and retention difficulties
Almost nine in ten British organisations are still having trouble filling vacancies in spite of talk of an economic slowdown, according to a survey by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
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The annual Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey shows that employers are placing the blame firmly on the UK’s skills gap. The CIPD reckons that the talent shortage is so severe that even a credit crunch inspired increase in the supply of labour may not be enough to alleviate difficulties:
70% of respondents cited a lack of necessary candidate skills as the main reason for recruitment difficulties
a further 42% reported generally on the insufficient experience of candidates.
Resourcing
Yet only half of companies surveyed have a formal resourcing strategy to counter the problem and many companies are struggling to recruit top talent; instead appointing people who currently don’t have all the skills required, but display potential.
Three-quarters of organisations use this method, with 65% considering it to have the most positive effect on recruitment.
A final word
“From an employers’ perspective, one of the positive outcomes of a jobs slowdown might have been an easing of recruitment difficulties. But these problems have persisted and there is still a struggle to find and hold on to the right people. If bosses want to come out of the downturn with a competitive advantage, they would do well to implement strategies aimed at attracting and retaining the right staff.
Organisations should also have a look at their learning and development strategies, which can help meet business demands in two ways. Firstly, those employers who have development opportunities are more likely to stay, which reduces turnover. Secondly, a good learning and development culture will foster a strong employer brand, helping to attract key talent.” - Deborah Fernon, organisation and resourcing adviser, CIPD.
Want to know more?
Title: Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Availability: The full research report will be available for download on the CIPD web site from 18 June 2008.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has over 130,000 members and is the "leading professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people". To find out more visit www.cipd.co.uk.