The skills shortage problem in the U.K. is a growing concern for business owners and entrepreneurs. With an aging population and more people leaving the workforce than entering it, there’s now a massive gap between the number of available workers and the number of jobs that need to be filled. As a result, employers are being forced to look elsewhere for qualified candidates with specific skill sets—and it’s not always easy to find them.
The Skills Gap
One of the significant issues exacerbating this skills shortage is that there isn’t necessarily a large enough pool of qualified workers out there to meet current demand. In addition, many industries require specialized training or certifications, so employers must actively seek out individuals with these qualifications to fill their positions. This can be time-consuming and expensive; without having access to a broad range of potential candidates, employers may struggle to find someone who meets all their requirements.
In addition, specific industries are facing a “skills gap”—the difference between what employers need from employees and what employees can offer—which makes it even harder for them to fill roles quickly and efficiently. For example, in some areas, such as technology, automation has made specific manual tasks redundant, leading many people in those fields to become underqualified for other roles within the same industry due to a lack of up-to-date knowledge or experience with new technologies.
Another example is the construction industry. Currently, many firms are struggling to find qualified workers to construct new infrastructure and buildings, especially in rural areas. This is partly because many young people are choosing to work in other sectors where they can get more extensive on-the-job training, such as finance or technology—and it’s difficult for construction firms to compete with these industries when it comes to attracting and retaining skilled workers.
Addressing the Issue
Fortunately, there are ways businesses can address this issue head-on by taking proactive steps. Here are some of those ways.
Testing
One of the best ways to address the skills shortage issue is through testing. By testing employees’ skills, managers can identify gaps in their knowledge and experience, allowing them to take actionable steps to improve those areas. For example, if a team member struggles with certain aspects of their job, management can work with that individual to create an improvement plan. This will help not only that individual but the entire team.
Testing can also be significant in a specific industry, such as construction. The construction industry has a safety issue, and by giving tests to applicants, you can train them, test them, and ensure that all of your workers have what it takes to be safe on the job. Currently, the CITB exam is an essential test for construction workers. It can help employers find qualified individuals who are serious about the industry and want to improve their careers. Ensure that your applicants take this test if you have a construction firm.
Recruiting Interns and Apprenticeships
One way to help address the skills shortage in the U.K. is to recruit interns and apprentices from universities and colleges across the country. These students have typically just finished their studies. They may not yet have experience working in a professional setting, but they do possess valuable knowledge and skills that can help your business succeed. By offering internships and apprenticeships, you can provide these students with an opportunity to gain real-world experience while also helping fill your skills gap.
Outsourcing Professional Services
Another way to address the skills shortage in the U.K. is to outsource professional services where needed. For example, if you need help with marketing or web design, consider outsourcing these tasks to a specialized agency or freelancer with expertise in these areas. Outsourcing allows you to access skilled professionals on a project-by-project basis without committing long-term resources or staff members for these roles. This can effectively fill gaps in your workforce while allowing you to control costs and the quality of work produced by outside parties.
Retaining Experienced Staff
Finally, one of the best ways to address the skills shortage problem in the U.K. is by retaining experienced staff members who already work for your company. Training existing staff members can benefit both them (in terms of job satisfaction) and your business (in terms of increased productivity). Providing career development opportunities such as training courses, mentorship programs, or tuition reimbursement can go a long way towards helping retain experienced staff members who can help your business stay competitive despite any skill shortages it may be facing due to current economic conditions.
The skills shortage issue isn’t going away anytime soon. However, with careful planning and well-thought-out strategies, businesses can take steps towards mitigating its effects on their operations and finding suitable candidates with all the qualifications for different roles within their organization. In addition, by investing time into training existing staff and recruiting from outside sources such as alumni networks and online communities, companies can attract top talent when needed—even when skilled labor is scarce or hard to come by!
