Vast majority of firms struggling to fill vacancies

RETENTION

Vast majority of firms struggling to fill vacancies

Employers are still struggling to fill vacancies, according to the latest Annual Recruitment, Retention and Turnover Survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

The survey of 715 UK employers found that 85% had experienced recruitment difficulties in the last year. Analysis of the survey shows recruitment difficulties in the private sector are intensifying, while the public sector's difficulties ease.  A quarter of firms are also struggling to recruit the most senior staff and directors that their organisation requires -- pointing to a shortage of leadership talent in the UK.

Recruitment difficulties

• 85% of employers experienced difficulties recruiting for one or more vacancy in the last year -- exactly the same proportion as recorded in the 2004 survey.
• The proportion of private sector firms reporting recruitment difficulties in the 2005 survey grew to 85% (from 82% in 2004), while public sector recruitment difficulties eased from 90% a year ago to 83% in 2005.

Rebecca Clake, recruitment and retention adviser at the CIPD, said: "Low unemployment and a generally buoyant economy have made it a job-seekers market. Employers are fighting over a small number of potential recruits, and are left facing real difficulties getting the right people into the right jobs."

A shortage of leadership?

• 24% of employers reported most difficulty recruiting to senior management or director level vacancies -- rising to 27% in the private sector -- indicating a shortage of leadership talent.
• But the category of vacancy causing the biggest recruitment headaches for employers was management and professional vacancies -- 45% of employers said this was one of the categories of vacancy they were finding most difficult to fill.

Recruiting the unfinished article

• Over two-thirds of employers (68%) have had to appoint someone in the last year who did not have all the skills and experience required to do the job, but who has the potential to grow into the role.

Want to know more?

Title: Annual Recruitment and Retention Survey, Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Survey sample: The survey report is based on responses from HR professionals in 715 employers from across the private, public and voluntary sectors.  The survey respondents, between them, employ over 1.1 million employees in the UK.  The survey responses relate to the period 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004.

Availability: You will shortly be able to download a copy of the full survey report from www.cipd.co.uk/surveys

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has over 120,000 members and is the "leading professional institute for those involved in the management and development of people".

Posted 1 July 2005