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The skills shortage is an oft-cited problem for many businesses today.
Employers often point towards the struggles of recruiting and retaining top talent with the required skillsets. This is corroborated by stats. 2019 research conducted by Gov.uk found that employers are struggling to fill more than one-third of roles due to a severe dearth of digital skills among applications. Furthermore, the study found that more than half of employees (53%) in the business lack the digital skills needed for work. While digital competency is just one skillset that today’s wave of employer’s value, the stats illustrate that the skills shortage isn’t exclusive to digital.
Research from PayScale cited the following as the top five soft skills that the most recent wave of graduates are lacking: critical thinking and problem solving, attention to detail, communication, leadership and teamwork. A lack of these skills can hugely compromise an organisation’s ability to function. During the recruitment process, hiring managers are quick to eliminate candidates without the necessary skills. Yet, one firm has launched a scheme to help unsuccessful candidates build up their skills and plug any gaps that may prevent them from securing work in future.
Resourcing | How to reject your candidates fairly
Internet service provider Plusnet – which is owned by BT Group and headquartered in Sheffield – launched the Plusnet Pathfinders scheme earlier this year to help those candidates not offered a job in the recruitment process and give them the chance to gain the skills that they needed to secure a customer service role and also to bridge the digital skills gap. This scheme allowed them to work on their interview skills, develop digital skills and boost their confidence to help them either re-interview at Plusnet or find an alternative job.
