Most surveys of businesses reveal that, whatever the state of the economy, skill shortages are one of their biggest problems. For example, the Business in Britain Survey found in 2004 that 44% of companies across the UK have difficulty recruiting skilled staff.
Most businesses also suffer from ‘skills gaps’, where their existing workforce do not have the skills required to do the job required. All too often, however, these shortages and gaps could have been anticipated and the frustration and economic loss which result are preventable.
If businesses can improve their planning for future skill needs, rather than reacting to them, then much of the short-term angst which gaps and shortages cause can be avoided. Of course, not all skill shortages can be anticipated or avoided, but our aim here is to demonstrate that a little more planning can help offset some of the effects.
See how you can use simple workforce planning techniques and labour market information to manage your future skills needs.
Information about the labour force in your area – its qualifications, the industries which are important and the jobs people do.
See how this has changed over the last ten years, and how it is predicted to change in the future
Information about vacancies reported by Jobcentre Plus in the area
Older Workers – issues to be considered in workforce planning