Nearly 40% of UK businesses don’t have the capacity to take on more work without recruiting additional staff and 56% state they only have ‘a little’ spare capacity. The figures have been published by REC (Recruitment and Employment Confederation) following their latest JobsOutlook survey which reports the responses of 600 employers questioned about their hiring intentions over the next quarter and the next year.
Nearly 80% of employers intend to recruit in the next three months whilst only 8% said they anticipate reducing their head count. All positive signs for UK business and the economy. Combine the statistics from employers with the fact that nearly two thirds of employees are looking to move jobs at some point this year and we could be looking at a particularly buoyant job market that moves very rapidly over the next six to eight months.
Almost a quarter of employers surveyed also highlighted an anticipated shortage of temporary workers with technical and engineering skills.
REC chief executive Kevin Green said: “We heard a lot in last week’s Budget that confirms what employers are saying to us; that confidence is returning to the market and that businesses are seeking to take advantage of increasing demand. The government also announced new investment in infrastructure and transport initiatives, which is a further sign of the strengthening economy.
“Questions remain however about where employers will find the skilled workers to carry out these projects, and to respond to growth. Employers are already reporting talent shortages in key industries like engineering, IT and construction. Fixing this needs to be a priority for the next government so that the UK can continue to prosper. That means a sensible approach to immigration so that businesses have access to the talent they need today, while the government improves careers advice in schools and encourages more young people to study the right subjects.
“Recruiters also have a major part to play in connecting employers to untapped talent pools, such as the 1 million older workers who are not currently employed, and who could provide the skills and experience that employers are looking for.”
