Tag Archive for: recruitment

The Recruitment Skills Shortage: Mind The Gap

The recruitment skills shortage: how to bridge the gap

 

The recruitment skills shortage poses a significant challenge for businesses of all sizes. HR professionals and hiring managers must remain vigilant, keeping pace with industry trends and understanding the obstacles they face. As the demand for skilled workers consistently outpaces the available supply, strategic efforts are essential to address this ongoing issue.

Industry Insights Analysis 

Across all industry sectors from IT, Engineering and Construction to Hospitality and Healthcare, businesses find it extremely difficult to fill their vacancies. This multi-faced and complex issue is a result of a combination of reasons namely the baby boomer generation retiring; the pandemic and Brexit are all to play.  

Drilling down into sectors, IT and Technology, the rapid pace of digital innovation has led to a scarcity of developers, data scientists, and cybersecurity experts. Similarly, the healthcare industry is grappling with shortages of nurses, physicians, and medical researchers.

The engineering sector also experiencing a dearth of qualified professionals across various disciplines due to a lack of trained and skilled staff. According to many sources, many qualified and experienced staff on the managerial level are at or nearing retirement age. They are either staying put or have decided to end their careers with no prospects of being replaced.  

What is causing your skills shortage? 

When thinking of the world of recruitment challenges, important questions spring to mind: Firstly, why do we need to know all about the industry insights and trends; what can be done about it, and more importantly, how best to move forward?  

The answers depend on the businesses’ individual circumstances as well as strategy. Some will have a greater impact than others. Nevertheless, understanding the drivers of change in the size of the workforce is important to identify the sources of vulnerability and resilience to future shocks. Also, staying abreast of the trends can help you navigate an unpredictable economic environment which has a direct financial impact on product and service delivery, affecting your business growth. 

Do something about it. 

To address the current challenges in the recruitment industry, organisations must strategically utilise technology, cultivate employer brands, and allocate resources to offer a comprehensive training and development initiative. Training and upskilling not only improves the ability of your existing employees, but well-executed training plans and courses are a major factor in attracting fresh talent.  

It is also important to ask for help when needed. If you are struggling to fill vacancies, why not to speak to a quality recruitment agency for advice. Any reputable agency will be more than happy to offer free advice to struggling companies.  

Skills shortage and recruitment to bridge the gap in your organisation

Thinking short-term can also help 

Have you considered hiring contractors, or temporary staff to fill the skills you are missing? Every day without the right people is costing your business in loss of productivity and earnings.  

As the workforce landscape evolves, staying ahead of the trends is paramount for businesses to maintain competitiveness in today’s dynamic and ever-changing job market. 

If you’re facing recruitment challenges and need assistance, please reach out to one of our experts at Planet Recruitment. We specialise in connecting great employers with talented temporary and permanent candidates who are ready to make the impact. Whether you’re hiring for your company or seeking your next job opportunity, we strive to take the headache out of the process. Our personalised services, specialist teams, and accessibility ensure that you’re never left talking to a machine. Let’s find your next appointment together. 

 

 

Meet Ieuan Morgan – Part of the Planet Family for 1 year!!

Meet Ieuan

Ieuan Morgan joined the Planet Recruitment family one year ago… in that time he has become a key member of our industrial team – probably the busiest desk in the business.

Ieuan is a great guy so we thought you’d like to get to know a little more about him…

So Ieuan, let’s start with an easy one… tell us a little about yourself..?

My name is Ieuan Morgan. I’m from Didcot. Relatively new to recruitment. I have come from a football coaching background previously. I’ve been married for 18 months, and my wife and I are expecting our first child in December! It’s both exciting and very nerve-racking… but we can’t wait!!

 

What brought you to Planet?

I knew our Director, Graham Cole, previously having coached two of his sons. Also, Ollie Thomas & I went to the same school. I saw they were looking for a trainee recruitment consultant. I messaged Ollie and here I am!

 

Did you come across anything that surprised you when you joined?

Obviously coming from a ‘non-recruitment’ background, I came in with no preconceptions. Not many surprises so far, which is good.

 

Tell us about your role

I work on the industrial desk at Planet Recruitment. My main role is to find candidates for jobs and then get them out to work.

 

Planet Recruitment – What’s it like to work there?

It’s great! Every day is different. There’s a good group of people here. The office has a good feel about it. The team we have on our desk is great, it feels like you’re working with your mates and not just work colleagues.

 

Favourite Planet Memory?

There’s been a few good moments at Planet. Within my first month here we did Tough Mudder, which was a good achievement, so I would probably say that!

 

The biggest challenge at Planet?

This job can be ruthless at times. Especially when you’ve worked hard to get someone a job and they then don’t show up 🤦‍♂️. Thankfully that hasn’t happened very often!

Meet Ieuan

What makes you tick outside work?

Like I said, I’m a football coach away from Planet. I’m in with the u16s at Oxford United three evenings a week and matches on a Saturday morning, so that keeps me pretty busy!

 

What’s your guilty pleasure?

I’m not sure I have a guilty pleasure; not one I want to admit here anyway! I would have to come back to you on that… 😆

 

So… I came across this photo. Please explain…?

My first Christmas party with the company. Too many beers, too early and not enough water! Very rooky error!

 

If you were to give advice to a 14-year-old you – what would it be?

Work hard in school. Do what makes you happy and follow any dreams with a passion and the desire to be the best at what you do.

 

If you were to give advice to a young person thinking of entering the world of recruitment, what would it be?

Do it! It’s a really rewarding job. Be prepared for stressful and long days though.

Challenges And Opportunities Facing The Construction Industry Today

Construction challenges

Yes, the UK construction industry faces challenges over the next 12 months and beyond, as it continues to fight back against the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and other rising costs. However, the industry also has some big opportunities to benefit from the government’s infrastructure plans, green initiatives and innovation as well as the increasing demand for private housing and improved infrastructure.

Economic Recovery

The construction industry in the UK is expected to shrink by 0.7% in real terms in 2024. But that’s an improvement following a 1.2% contraction in 2023. The main reason for the decline is rising interest rates and a blip of confidence in the residential sector. However, we are beginning to see signs of light at the end of that tunnel. Inflation is being reigned in and most experts predict that interest rates have now peaked.

The industry is expected to return to growth sooner rather than later, as the economy recovers from the threat of recession and consumer confidence improves. The government’s fiscal stimulus measures, such as the £100 billion National Infrastructure Strategy and the £4 billion Levelling Up Fund, will also support the construction industry’s recovery.

Green Transition

The UK construction industry has an opportunity to contribute to the global efforts to tackle climate change and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

To achieve these goals, the government has announced various green initiatives. These include the £9.2 billion Green Homes Grant Scheme, the £1 billion Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, and the £5 billion Project Speed Programme.

We need to adapt to new regulations and standards and set minimum energy performance requirements for new buildings from 2025. As a sector, will also need to invest in innovation and digitalisation, offsite manufacturing, and smart technologies, to improve efficiency and quality.

Recruitment Opportunities

The industry still faces the significant challenge of recruiting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce. It is predicted that an extra 225,000 construction workers will be needed by 2027 (45,000 workers per year), with the major sectors in demand being private housing, infrastructure, and repair and maintenance.

Construction will also need to address the shortages of both skilled and unskilled labour, which are likely to be exacerbated by Brexit and an ageing construction workforce. We need to attract more young people, women and ethnic minorities into construction careers.

To help meet this challenge, the Construction Division here at Planet Recruitment strives to attract a diverse range of recruits for the industry and will work alongside our construction partners to deliver the candidates they may struggle to source themselves.

Embrace The Challenge

Yes, we are facing some challenges, but our sector has massive opportunities ahead. By recruiting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce, who are ready and able to work with new technologies and standards to improve efficiency and quality, the industry’s resilience and adaptability will be key to future growth.

Kris Blaszko Construction Recruitment

 

Employee Turnover: A critical factor to business success or struggle

Employee Turnover

Low employee turnover is crucial for the success of any business. Retaining experienced and knowledgeable staff leads to consistency in service delivery, better employee morale, and increased client satisfaction. It is also cost-effective and helps retain expertise.

We’re very lucky here at Planet Recruitment. I joined in April 2021 as employee number 4. Right now, we’re at 22 members of staff and have only lost 1 other. Recruiting and keeping the best people is a cornerstone of our business – we really do practice what we preach!

Here are five reasons why low staff turnover should be a priority for your business:

  1. Consistent service delivery: Keeping experienced and knowledgeable staff leads to consistent service delivery, which builds trust and credibility with clients, enhances your reputation, and increases referrals.
  2. Cost-effective: High staff turnover is expensive. Retaining staff saves on recruitment costs, onboarding, and training, freeing up funds for investment in other areas.
  3. Better employee morale: High staff turnover leads to low morale and disengagement. Keeping staff happy and motivated leads to higher job satisfaction and better productivity.
  4. Increased client satisfaction: Low staff turnover leads to increased client satisfaction. Repeat business and referrals generate more revenue and a better reputation for your business.
  5. Expertise retention: Hiring and retaining experienced people keeps their knowledge and expertise within your company, improving performance, and maintaining a competitive edge.

In conclusion, low staff turnover is crucial for the success and growth. It saves costs, enhances your reputation, improves morale, increases client satisfaction, and retains expertise. Make it a top priority to retain your valuable staff, and watch your agency thrive!

 

 

happy employee turnover

 

How to lead your business out of the COVID-crisis

lead your business

We are in another crucial period for any organisation wanting to come out of the crisis with their best foot forward. Whether you are aiming to come out stronger than you went into it or simply ahead than your competitors, effective leadership is key to achieving your post-covid goals.

We’re lucky. We have leaders in our business that have been through the 2008 recession so it’s not the first major economic challenge we have faced. We’re also fortunate to have clients with very strong leadership meaning that their businesses are already reaching pre-lock-down levels of productivity.

Some clients however, as well as some in the wider business community, have asked us what areas we are focusing on. How are we showing the level of confidence to our teams to make sure that they are approaching challenges head-on?

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So, to help other businesses out there, I’ve decided to share my thoughts and suggest the areas I believe you should concentrate on to lead your business beyond the crisis.

Crisis Management

The New Normal, The Next Normal, whatever you want to call it, we all need to adapt to new realities. What have the last few months thought you about how your business reacts to crisis? Where do you need to adapt to make sure you can manage these unforeseen circumstances in the future? Now that you have been affected once, show your teams that you’re not going to let the same negative impact happen again.

Strategise

Even things that worked before are likely going to have to change now. You may need to adapt your business model to meet the changing needs, requirements and concerns of your customers. This goes further. Economically things are going to be very different, so you need to adapt your plans to reflect this.

Make sure you have the right people in the key areas to achieve your goals. We are doing this with a lot of clients at the moment – take stock of who you have and how they can drive their own areas forward.

Use technology to give yourself the edge. Early in the lockdown, we adapted and used video interviewing software to continue interviews and maintain the supply of staff to clients. Identify what tech can give you the advantage that your competitors are missing?

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Beware of the hype

The news, colleagues, other business contacts, even friends and family will be full of “new information”, advice and speculation. With the news feed updating so quickly over the last few months, it’s easy to get caught up and react too quickly and overreact. As you receive new information, take stock. Look at the source. Is it reliable? Are they the right person to advise? Think first, get the facts and then react.

People First

Lead people, not situations. Your staff are your biggest advantage. They are unique tools that other businesses don’t have. Listen to them. Don’t force them to work in conditions where they feel unsafe. Consider and adapt to their needs. If they feel respected and valued, they will follow your lead and aim to achieve your vision.

Your strategy should put your people and culture at its core.

Managing existing and new clients

All businesses have just gone through a huge personality test. This has been a great opportunity to showcase our true values and authenticity to our clients. Businesses who have stood by their clients, helped them through difficult times, offering advice and consultancy, will be the ones who’ll continue to thrive.

It has also been a great time to cultivate new relationships, build your brand and let new people know what you and your business stand for.

 

There’s no doubt that business and society has changed for at least the foreseeable future. What worked in the past might not necessarily work in the future. Your employees will be looking in your direction for guidance. What you do as a leader will shape your businesses’ and their future.

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