Small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are more optimistic in
their recruitment intentions than larger rivals, but could be
facing a skills shortage in the coming months – according
to Manpower, the UK’s leading workforce management company.
Manpower’s Employment Outlook Survey found that a balance
of +21 per cent of small companies and +20 per cent of medium-sized
companies intend to increase their staffing levels during the
months April to June 2005. This compares to a figure of just +9
per cent of large businesses.
Comments Mark Cahill, Managing Director of Manpower: “SMEs
make up 99 per cent of British business, so it’s great news
for the UK economy that hiring intentions are positive and SMEs
are looking to expand their workforce.
“The challenge all businesses face currently is the lack
of skills and experience required for some vacancies. This skills
shortage tends to affect smaller businesses more than larger:
SMEs are less likely to have internal training schemes, and are
even more reliant on recruiting people with the right skills.
The focus for SMEs is therefore on their recruitment and retention
strategies – finding ways to attract the best talent in
a tight labour market, and keeping them in their business.”
Stephen Alambritis, Head of Parliamentary Affairs at the Federation
of Small Businesses, welcomed the results. He said: “The
MEOS findings are further evidence that the very smallest firms
create the most jobs. It is our belief that given their innovative
and flexible approach, and a pool of suitably skilled staff, they
will continue to be the UK’s job creating champions.”
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About the Manpower Employment Outlook
Survey
Manpower is a leading recruiter of permanent, temporary and contract
workforces, employing around 100,000 people in the UK each year.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, [formerly Manpower’s
Quarterly Survey of Employment Prospects] is conducted quarterly
to measure employers’ hiring intentions for the forthcoming
quarter. Unique in its predictive nature, the Survey is widely
used in Government and industry, including The Bank of England’s
Monetary Policy Committee as evidence of labour market activity.
The Survey has been running for more than 40 years and is based
on 2,500 interviews with public and private employers in the UK
and 35,000 interviews collectively across 18 countries worldwide.
See www.manpower.com for global reports.
About Manpower
Manpower is the UK’s leading workforce management company,
specialising in permanent and temporary recruitment, HR services,
managed services, outsourcing and HR consultancy.
Manpower has been established in the UK since 1956 and today works
with organisations in both the public and private sector. Manpower’s
UK-wide network of 300 offices allows the company to meet the
needs of local and national customers. This includes numerous
small and medium sized enterprises, as well as larger organisations
such as BMW, BT, Heinz, Hertfordshire County Council, IBM, National
Health Service, New Deal South Wales, Royal Mail and Xerox.
The focus of Manpower’s work is on raising productivity
through improved quality, efficiency and cost-reduction, enabling
customers to concentrate on their core business.
Manpower has a highly skilled workforce of 100,000 temporary employees
who stay loyal to the company (and its customers) thanks to best
in class employment benefits. These include a contract of employment
and a free e-learning tool offering staff over 1,000 courses in
a diverse range of subjects, keeping Manpower’s workforce
up to date with today’s ever-changing working environment.
