Majority of SMEs reporting staff shortages

A new survey has revealed that more than four in five SMEs with less than 50 workers have reported shortages in job applicants.

The Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) revealed that a total of 57.1% of medium-size employers (with 50-249 staff) and 66.7% of large employers (250+ staff) also reported shortages of candidates, which suggests that they are also challenged – but are finding better routes to cope compared to smaller businesses.

Neil Carberry, REC Chief Executive, commented on the findings, “Companies reporting persistent hiring difficulties comes as no surprise to us at the REC. Too few firms have appreciated that – despite slow growth – our jobs market has changed fundamentally.

“Only 9.5% of firms told us they were looking to temps, freelancers and contractors to help. Yet support from agencies on both temporary labour and innovative routes to hiring permanent roles are vital to getting the people a business needs now.

“A good recruitment partner is no luxury – and small firms in particular can benefit from the specialist skills they bring. As well as helping with reaching new pools of candidates, and innovative flexible options, agencies can deliver great support and advice to their clients.

“What matters, though, is that businesses understand that buying on value rather than lowest price matters – cutting costs in recruitment processes is a highway to failure.”

To find out more about contracting please contact Jaime on 01442 795 100 or email jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.