Skills crisis looming as employers struggle to recruit the right skills, warns Prince’s Trust
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Almost half of employers agree that there is currently a skills
shortage across the UK (47 per cent), and a quarter believe there
will be a shortage in five years’ time (25 per cent) Almost
three-quarters agree the recruitment of young people is vital to
avert a skills crisis in their sector (73 per cent) More than half
of employers say they struggle to recruit people with the skills
their organisation needs (59 per cent) ...Request free trial
UK employers are warning of a looming skills crisis, according to a new report from The Prince’s Trust and Govia Thameslink Railway.
The YouGov poll of 1,004 employers and 2,252 young people suggests that businesses expect skills shortages to worsen, with six in ten saying they believe it’s only going to get harder to recruit employees with the right skills for their organisation (60 per cent).
According to the report, Futures at Stake 2020, one in three employers believe that traditional or outdated recruitment practices are perpetuating skills shortages (36 per cent), while almost half agree that traditional recruitment practices are no longer working and that they need to be more innovative (48 per cent).
Most employers believe recruiting young people under 25 is vital to avert a skills crisis in their sector (75 per cent) and that it is more important to focus on personal values rather than academic achievements when it comes to recruiting for entry-level jobs (67 per cent).
However, almost half of young people 16 to 30 applying for jobs feel they have missed out on roles because they were not given a fair chance to show their skills properly (48 per cent). Seven in ten 16-to-30-year-olds say that employers rarely give them helpful feedback when they’ve been unsuccessful in applying for a role (72 per cent) and 79 per cent believe employers need to be more transparent in their recruitment processes.
Dame Martina Milburn, Group Chief Executive of The Prince’s Trust said: “Young people are key to solving current skills shortages and avoiding a future skills crisis. However, some employers use recruitment processes that make it hard for them to fill vacancies, as well as making it hard for young people to get their first job. It is vital that employers start thinking about recruitment differently.
“The Prince’s Trust works with employers to give all young people the chance to succeed. We provide employers with innovative methods of recruitment, such as our short pre-apprenticeship courses for young people, and we are relentless in our efforts to ensure all young people have the tools they need to start their career.”
The research indicates there is an appetite among employers for this type of course to aid their recruitment processes. Half of all employers say they would be interested in recruiting applicants by working with an external training provider to provide work experience and training (49 per cent).
Patrick Verwer, Chief Executive of Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) said: “This research highlights how employers need to adapt their practices to attract young people to avoid a skills crisis in their organisations. “At GTR, we recognise the value that young people can bring to the workforce and how, with the right support and opportunities, they can get on the career ladder and be active players in the economy. “We’re proud to have helped hundreds of young people through our partnership with The Prince’s Trust to boost their confidence and be inspired to build a future for themselves.”
The Get into Railways course, run by The Prince’s Trust and GTR, has supported more than 180 young people and 77 per cent have moved into jobs at the company as a result. This year, The Prince’s Trust will support thousands of young people to develop the confidence and skills they need to get into work, education or training. To find out more about how The Trust works with young people, schools and employers in your local community, or if you would like to support by donating funds or volunteering your time, search for ‘The Prince’s Trust’ online.
ENDS
Notes to editors A sample of 2,252 16-30 year olds took part in an online survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of The Prince’s Trust between the 28th August and 17th September 2019.
A sample of 1,004 employers took part in an online survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of The Prince’s Trust between the 28th August and 3rd September 2019.
A sample of 511 teachers took part in an online survey, conducted by YouGov on behalf of The Prince’s Trust between the 28th August and 16th September 2019.
The figures have been weighted and are representative of all young people, teachers and employers in the UK.
About The Prince’s Trust
Youth charity The Prince’s Trust helps young people to develop the confidence and skills they need to realise their ambitions, so that they can live, learn and earn. Founded by The Prince of Wales in 1976, the charity supports 11 to 30 year-olds who are unemployed, struggling at school and at risk of exclusion.
Many of the young people helped by The Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness, mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law. The programmes offered by the charity give vulnerable young people the practical and financial support needed to stabilise their lives, helping develop self-esteem and skills for work. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training.
The Trust has helped over 950,000 young people to date and supports over 100 more each day. Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. Further information about The Prince’s Trust is available at princes-trust.org.uk or on 0800 842 842.
About Govia Thameslink Railway Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) operates Thameslink, Great Northern, Southern and Gatwick Express services as follows:
GTR is the most punctual of the large and complex operators in UK rail according to the latest 'On Time' statistics released by the Office of Rail and Road for the 12 months to 30 September 2019, and fourth of all train operators in the UK.
www.southernrailway.com, www.thameslinkrailway.com, www.gatwickexpress.com, www.greatnorthernrail.com
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