Just as a survey – ‘Report on Jobs: North of England’ – designed to provide a comprehensive up-to-date guide to labour market trends finds that there is a shortage of candidates for permanent jobs, over 50% of businesses in the North West are concerned that there are not enough high-skilled workers to meet future demands.
This year’s CBI/Pearson Education and Skills UK-wide survey, found that 67% of firms in the North West region need more highly skilled staff, particularly in key sectors such as science and engineering, construction and manufacturing, but 51% are not confident that they will be able to find the high-level skills needed to meet demand and grow.
Businesses are already reporting real problems in recruiting people with science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills – with 21% currently struggling to employ graduates with sufficient STEM skills.
CBI regional director North West Damian Waters said:
“While the North West economy continues to make headway we must be on our guard as local growth risks being undermined by a shortage of the higher-level skills businesses need to get on, and the situation is only set to get worse.
“High-growth, high-value sectors, with the most potential are under the most pressure, like science, engineering, digital and manufacturing. We must make sure that our education and skills system is truly responsive to the needs of business and that young people receive much better careers advice, if we are to propel the North West economy forward in the years ahead.”
Recruitment agencies in the North of England reported a further marked deterioration in the availability of permanent candidates despite improvements to permanent staff salaries in the region for the forty-first successive month in July. Nearly 28% of surveyed consultants reported an increase in permanent staff pay.
President of Pearson’s UK business Rod Bristow said:
“Building a world-class school and qualifications system is the best long-term solution for securing sustainable, skilled workers and economic growth.
“We must prepare young people for the world of work through closer engagement and collaboration between the business community, universities, schools and further education colleges.”
SOURCE: Read more at http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/