It seems that British businesses are deciding to remain optimistic in the current economic climate as it has been revealed that 74% of engineering employers are planning on recruiting this year. There is a skills shortage that currently means recruiting companies are unable to find suitable applicants. 80% of engineering employers have said that the skills shortage is the biggest challenge faced while trying to find new talent.
Hays Engineering has compiled research which includes a survey of 600 engineering employers and employees in the UK. The research was conducted before the referendum in June, but the research also includes a snap poll of more than 150 engineering employers and employees that was carried out in September. The research showed that 93% of organisations expected business to either remain the same or increase this year.
As part of the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends 2017 guide, employers are said to feel relatively reassured in the economic climate right now. However, employees arenât quite as confident, with 55% planning on moving jobs this year. Just over half, 51%, of professionals in the engineering sector say they are dissatisfied with their pay. Salary is also the top reason for employees wanting to change roles. 33% of those asked cite a lack of future opportunities as a reason for wanting to change jobs.
However, on a positive note, engineering employers are confident that their business activity will actually increase, and nearly three quarters of those employers asked as part of Haysâ Index plan on recruiting a mixture of both permanent and temporary staff in order to expand their workforce.
However, with the engineering sector looking to expand yet 80% of engineering employers saying that there is a shortage in suitable applicants, it is worth wondering where the people needed in order to meet the businessesâ expansion plans. 52% of employers expect competition from other businesses for the applicants, where 53% say that applicants have unrealistic salary expectations.
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