Most companies struggling to find staff

According to the British Chambers of Commerce, recruitment issues are affecting positions at all skill levels.

According to new research, more than two-thirds of UK companies looking to hire new employees are having difficulty finding candidates.

According to a survey of 5,700 businesses, sectors hit hard by the coronavirus, such as hotels and catering, are seeing an increase in recruitment plans.

According to the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), the majority of firms attempting to hire are in production, manufacturing, and construction. Those having difficulty recruiting in recent months increased to 70%, up from a little more than half at the end of 2020, according to the report.

“As firms are released from lockdown restrictions, the skills and labor shortages that existed before the pandemic are once again beginning to bite,” said Jane Gratton of the BCC.

“The encouraging increase in job creation across the manufacturing and services sectors is being held back by recruitment difficulties at all skill levels, jeopardizing growth and productivity. Whether people have found work in a different sector, changed their working patterns, or left the UK during the recession, firms are now struggling to find the people they need. Business, government, and the skills system must work together to find solutions. Adopting more remote and flexible working patterns will help firms attract skills from a wider talent pool.”

According to a separate report by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) and KPMG, there has been an “unprecedented” increase in demand for permanent and temporary employees.

REC CEO Neil Carberry stated, “The jobs market is improving at the fastest rate we have ever seen, but it is still an unpredictable time.” We can’t say how much the end of furlough and increased candidate confidence will help meet the rising demand for workers.”

Although recruitment activity increased in June, worker availability decreased, according to the report, which was compiled from survey responses from 400 job agencies.

Experts added that the high-demand, the low-supply situation has resulted in increases in starting wages and pay for temporary workers.