The Office of National Statistics (ONS) may have reported a rise in UK employment figures, but hidden beneath the statistics is a severe shortage of applicants with the necessary skills required to work in industry, a UK recruitment expert has said.
Beatrice Bartlay, founder & Managing Director of specialist staffing agency 2B Interface, and expert in recruitment for blue-collar industries, supports the initiative for graduates and school leavers to learn vocational skills to pursue a career in fields that include the buoyant manufacturing industry, and construction. She even suggests that youth will begin to favour these types of courses and training opportunities over the dominant service sector, predicting that employment in secondary sectors will support the already significant growth in industries behind the recovering economy.
“There are huge opportunities for youth talent in industry,” she said. “Manufacturing and construction in particular enable people to gain specialist skills, and plenty of progression opportunities for a bright career in the future. The government should do more to demonstrate the benefits of working in a lucrative industry where youth can earn a good living, and be a part of sectors absolutely central to boosting GDP again.”
A report by ONS revealed that there are almost one million 16-24 year olds in the United Kingdom that are still unemployed. However, a recent paper by Institute for Public Policy Research stated that 39 per cent of vacancies in skilled trades are due to a shortage of skills among applicants. Bartlay believes that vocational training is a key factor for the future of youth employment due to the rising demand for candidates with trade skills.
“Industry employers are looking for specific skills that can be learned through an apprenticeship course and similar. At 2B Interface we focus on the recruitment of candidates with niche skills that include welding, carpentry and saw operating, all of which can be learned through vocational training courses,” Bartlay added.
She continued: “I also encourage university applicants to consider courses where they can develop skills that are highly desirable to primary and secondary sector employers. Young talent can bring a fresh view and a strong potential, and with practical skills, they can build a successful career in industries including manufacturing and construction.”
Bartlay concluded: “White collar jobs are currently a top career choice for many young candidates, however, there are various career paths within those industries that made Britain what it was after the industrial revolution. I urge young talent to consider them as lucrative and valuable choices.”
