the business ladder

A survey of 6,000 businesses by the British Chamber of Commerce has revealed that 45% of respondents claim that it is very or quite difficult to find the right employees for a position.

Despite high unemployment and expectations of more to come, many firms report that job candidates lack the right levels of literacy and numeracy, but also show failings in ‘soft skills’ including timekeeping and communication.

Only 45% of surveyed business were very or fairly confident in recruiting graduates, but 29% feel the same about recruiting a school-leaver with A-levels or equivalent.

Just 20% of respondents were very or fairly confident in recruiting an ex-public sector worker, and only 10% felt confident hiring someone who has been unemployed for 6 months or more.

John Longworth, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, explained that people are at the heart of every successful business.

“Developing the capability of our workforce is crucial for individual companies as well as the UK’s economic competitiveness. Our survey results prove what we have known for some time: UK companies continue to invest in their workforce, and they still want to take on staff and expand despite a difficult economic climate. However, the results also confirm that many firms looking to recruit are stymied by the poor skills available within the local labour pool.

“Even at a time of record youth unemployment, firms lack confidence in our education system's ability to deliver basic literacy and numeracy skills. But employers also want to see young people with a strong worth ethic, and those ‘softer’ skills like timekeeping and communication which are fundamental in the work environment.”

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