A recent poll unveils challenges faced by UK SMEs in recruiting skilled staff, highlighting critical causes and demographic differences affecting employment.
- Approximately 68% of UK SMEs report difficulties in hiring adequately skilled staff, according to a recent survey.
- Inadequate starting salaries are cited as a significant factor, with younger employees more affected than older ones.
- Generational differences reveal that older employees perceive a lack of work-based socialisation and learning opportunities as key issues.
- Flexible working is less of a concern, while inefficient recruitment processes are notable challenges.
A recent survey involving 525 business professionals from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across various industries uncovered that nearly 68% struggle to recruit staff with the necessary skills. This difficulty in sourcing skilled employees poses a significant challenge for SMEs as they strive to remain competitive.
The survey, commissioned by The Brew, a coworking company, emphasises that inadequate starting salaries are a primary concern, particularly for the younger workforce, aged 18 to 34. Surprisingly, this demographic associates skills shortages with stagnant salaries, a sentiment contributing to recruitment challenges.
Distinct generational perspectives were noted, with older professionals aged 35 and above attributing skills shortages to fewer opportunities for social interaction and professional development in the workplace. This contrasts with younger employees, who prioritize financial remuneration as a key factor.
Despite an increase in flexible working arrangements post-pandemic, this was cited by only 21.5% of respondents as a factor in skills shortages. This suggests that while beneficial, flexible work is not perceived as a primary solution for attracting talent.
Inefficient recruitment and onboarding processes were also highlighted, affecting nearly 20.8% of those surveyed. This points to a need for SMEs to enhance their recruitment strategies to improve talent acquisition.
Commentary from Andrew Clough, the Chief Executive of The Brew, underscores the UK’s persistent productivity issues, exacerbated by widespread skills shortages. This situation hinders SMEs’ productivity and competitive edge against larger companies.
Addressing the multifaceted skills shortage challenge is crucial for the growth and competitiveness of UK SMEs.
