New year job search: Pay soars amid skills shortage January 9, 2015 2015 could be the best year yet for anyone looking to switch jobs, as pay soars amid a skills shortage, according to figures by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC). The report, in conjunction with KPMG, found that a lack of suitable candidates has pushed pay up across the board. This came after a good [...]
Skills shortage and higher pay are hurting London companies January 6, 2015 London’s businesses want to grow to match the recovering economy, but are being held back by a lack of skilled workers, according to study out yesterday from the London Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) and ComRes. Growth will improve this year, according to 42 per cent of businesses in the capital. As a result, [...]
Skills shortage poses threat to UK businesses January 4, 2015 A shortage of skills in the UK could blight firms’ 2015 expansion plans, new survey data suggests. Of 500 firms surveyed, 39 per cent said a lack of skilled workers would have negative impact on their business, according to figures released today by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). A potential [...]
Stricter immigration rules, lack of skills and red tape could stunt UK firms’ hiring plans December 21, 2014 UK firms are worried that a lack of skills, stricter immigration rules, and over-regulation could scupper their plans to expand next year. Business are looking to take on more workers with 50 per cent of firms planning to add to their headcount in 2015, according to survey data released today by the Confederation of British [...]
Christmas charity: Giving essential skills to those who need them December 11, 2014 This Christmas, City A.M. is presenting five of its favourite charities to inspire readers’ festive charitable giving – our fourth charity is build it. Skills are a much needed commodity in developing nations and equipping members of a community with the power to build can have transformational and long-lasting effects. This is Built It International’s mantra [...]
David Cameron announces creation of London’s first digital skills hub in 2015 December 8, 2014 David Cameron has announced the creation of the UK's first digital skills hub, as part of a government drive to boost the take-up of maths, science and technology subjects. The National College for Digital Skills, opening in London next year, will equip students with the technological skills needed to "compete in the global economy". It aims [...]
Ed Vaizey: Why we must not underestimate the importance of digital skills December 8, 2014 Coding is often thought of as a niche activity – the preserve of a few individuals working in advanced IT professions. In reality, it is something anyone can learn and is a vital tool in the technological revolution that has transformed the way we all live and work – from how we spend our leisure [...]
Graduates and school leavers do not have skills employers need November 24, 2014 Employers are increasingly struggling to fill entry-level jobs as graduates and school-leavers are often lacking key skills, according to a Totaljobs.com report out today. One in seven firms has been unable to fill an entry-level vacancy in the past three years. At the same time, 15 per cent of recent graduates remain unemployed, and 20 [...]
Skills shortages boost jobs: Demand for professional talent soars after year of strong growth November 3, 2014 The jobs market for professional workers is booming on the back of a strong year of economic growth in the UK. Professional recruitment firms now have 41 per cent more vacancies on their books than this time last year, reveals survey data released today by the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo). The latest research [...]
UK skills shortage: Bad hires cost businesses £14,000 each October 20, 2014 The skills shortage is an oft-cited obstacle for small firms, but now new research has found each bad hire costs businesses £13,799. Ouch. The research, by Sandler training, found a shortage of good applications means over half of small businesses admit to having made bad hires. More than a quarter of small businesses blamed their [...]