According to a survey of members of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, if the government wants to achieve its industrial strategy goals, it must prioritise supporting employers in upskilling their workforces.
Invest in 2035, the government’s modern industrial strategy, was announced in November. It is a 10-year growth plan with the goal of creating “high-quality jobs that are well-paid”.
A REC survey of 233 employers found that 57% of them said building skills should be the number one priority, pointing out the fact that the majority of people who will work in the workplace in 2035 are already in it.
In the UK, two-fifths of respondents (41%) believe that expanding vocational training should be a priority.
The REC reported that employers with over 250 employees were particularly supportive of enhancing digital training and development.
London respondents felt this way more than the rest of the country, where 36% cited entrepreneurship and innovation as being most important.
Londoners, with 42% in favor, were more likely to support increased STEM (science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) training.
The REC polled a fifth of employers who said that attracting talent from abroad should be a top priority.
Skills shortages were cited as the biggest recruitment challenge by 60% of respondents, and 69% of those in the Midlands.
London saw a 53% increase in the number of people concerned about an unstable tax environment for business. Access to international talent is a major concern for a quarter of respondents. 36% also said that there is not enough support available to SMEs and new start-ups who are dealing with an increased level of regulation.
Neil Carberry is the chief executive of REC. He said, “Governments need to work together and develop a business-responsive skills approach and implement the new Growth and Skills Levy in order for employers to use funding more flexibly.”
There are many positions that have shorter learning curves, and can be filled by someone with the right support. A long-term, stable approach will encourage businesses to step up and show confidence. This will ensure that public money is backed by private sector commitment.
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