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Skills shortages set to widen in the next decade, says report

According to a new report by City & Guilds, current UK skills shortages plaguing the nursing, teaching and medical professions are set to widen in the next decade.

The City & Guilds report, “Rare Species - Critical Skills for Tomorrow's Future”, identifies the occupations which it says will be most at risk from a shortage of skills. The report also suggests strategies for government and businesses to prevent the shortages occurring.

The report predicts that care workers and nurses will be among the hardest staff to recruit as a growing elderly population triggers an increased demand for their services. City & Guilds warns that working conditions will need to be radically overhauled to prevent future generations of nurses and care staff leaving the UK for international job opportunities.

Currently the teaching profession is short of teachers in some subjects such as maths and science. The Rare Species report suggests that a combination of factors such as declining investment in science, and attractive international job opportunities could see these shortages continue. The report also predicts that doctors will also be in short supply as they are tempted by better job prospects overseas.

However, it is qualified and specialist call centre operatives who top the City & Guilds list of hard to fill positions in 2020, particularly within the financial sector. The Rare Species report says the poor image of the industry and the more unattractive cultural aspects of the job (shift work, repetition of the role and aggressive customers) will make other areas within the financial sector a more tempting option for candidates.

On a more positive note, the report says that the next 15 years will see traditional vocational trades, such as plumbers and electricians, recover from the current shortages. Although there will continue to be a short-term gap, attractive pay and work-life benefits will entice an influx of fresh applicants and career changers helping to raise the profile of the trades and contribute to their longer-term future.

According to the Rare Species report, the construction industry will be vulnerable to skilled labour shortages in the short and long-term future. With the government’s promise to build more homes there will be increased pressure to find experienced builders. However, with little predicted rise in the pay, conditions or status of these workers, builders will remain in scarce supply.

Ultimately, the report concludes, employers within these hard to fill careers will be facing increasing competition to entice and retain suitable candidates.

Chris Humphries, director general of City & Guilds said: "The UK workforce is set to evolve over the next 15 years, and talent retention as well as recruitment will be a key issue that employers need to address in order to safeguard future employees. Quality and not quantity of staff will be critical in meeting tomorrow’s skills needs and if this is not addressed, the impact on the UK economy will be wide-reaching.

"The growth in the cost of living will mean that money will become a key driver in choices of profession, especially for career swappers. Working culture will also be very important – employees will be motivated by jobs with a positive work / life balance and also good training opportunities – and this is where vocational jobs will really flourish.

"We’ve long known that a vocational trade can offer a fulfilling and well paid career. This report proves that it will become an increasingly attractive proposition to people, whatever their age."

The top 20 hard to fill positions in 2020 identified by the Rare Species report are:

1. Customer services - specialist call centre operatives
2. Scientific/ research & development support technicians
3. Nurses
4. Teachers
5. Media and creative technical specialists
6. Chartered electrical engineers
7. Scientists/research & development professionals (not lab technicians)
8. Print specialists
9. Care assistants
10. Doctors
11. Architects
12. Builders
13. Lawyers
14. Qualified financial services professionals
15. Veterinary surgeons
16. Secretaries/receptionists - business support professionals
17. Mechanics
18. Electricians
19. Civil servants
20. Chartered mechanical engineers

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