23.12.2014

Job Posts May Remain Unfilled

Half of companies in Britain are looking to hire more workers in 2015, though jobs may not be filled because of skills shortages, the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) has warned.
 
Management consultants Accenture carried out a survey of 323 businesses to discover that jobs will be created across multiple industries, with a keen focus on permanent positions.
 
However, skills gaps and concerns regarding new regulations are affecting the way jobs are being created.
 
Despite the worries over getting able people to take up positions, the employment landscape of the UK continues to improve, with official statistics confirming falls in unemployment and the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance.
 
The Office for National Statistics also revealed that the highest number of people are in work since records began in 1971 - though CBI Deputy Director General Katja Hall said the government needed to remain focused on supporting this further in the New Year.
 
She said: "We want to see everyone enjoy the rewards of the economic recovery. Growth should work for everyone, and skills are the key route to ensuring that this happens through improved productivity and pay.
 
"Companies and the government need to work together to find ways to develop skills within the workforce and help employees move into higher skilled and better paid jobs."

Expert Opinion

This research highlights how businesses of all sizes are looking to push on with boosting their workforce in the coming months and it is likely that smaller firms will be central to this approach, as they look to build on their successes of 2014 and look to fulfil a new set of targets across 2015. <br/> <br/>"It is interesting to note that concerns regarding regulations are on the minds of many employers, so it is clear that many may benefit from speaking to third parties such as legal experts to gain a proper understanding of their key responsibilities for the year ahead. <br/> <br/>"Failing to make the right preparations could have significant consequences, both from a financial point of view and also in relation to the reputation of a company." Fergal Dowling - Partner