Earlier this year Theresa May launched a proposal for a modern industrial strategy. The Green Paper talks about building an economy that works for everyone and making the UK one of the most competitive places in the world to start or grow a business.
The initial consultation paper addresses the inequalities across the country and one of the main objectives of the strategy is to improve living standards and economic growth by increasing productivity and driving growth across the whole country. The implication is that the strategy won’t be focused just on London and more affluent areas of the UK but instead will focus on support in key areas where it is really needed.
So what could the strategy mean for the recruitment sector?
The strategy is based around 10 pillars some of which will be directly relevant to the recruitment sector. These include developing skills, upgrading infrastructure and investment in science, research and innovation.
The skills shortage is a concern in the recruitment industry and recruiters across the country will undoubtedly welcome any initiative which addresses improving skills in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) as well as digital skills and the basic skills that employers are really looking out for in new recruits.
Supporting businesses to start and grow and encouraging trade and inward investment are also areas covered by the green paper. Support from the government in these two areas will be vital particularly in the uncertain times that we are currently experiencing whilst the details of the UK’s departure from the EU are ironed out.
Any strategy which supports new businesses and encourages business growth will in turn have a knock on effect on industries which support other businesses such as the recruitment sector. In the UK the recruitment sector has experienced a period of steady growth in recent years and hopefully with this focus that can continue.
How to have your say
In her foreword Theresa May talks about the government taking on a “new, active role that backs business.” This might sound good but what does it mean and in practice how can the government be more involved? If you would like to have your say on what that new role might entail and are interested in sharing your thoughts and opinions on the strategy, its approach and the ideas within the green paper then now is your opportunity.
The government is actively seeking opinions from the business community. If you would like to comment you can complete the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy survey here. www.beisgovuk.citizenspace.com/industrial-strategy
