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A major
survey that interviewed 6,300 employers in Scotland about their views of the
labour market and skill related issues.
Most Scottish workers are considered fully proficient
at their jobs by their employers.
The results of Scotland’s
most comprehensive employers’ survey have shown that, while demand for
labour in Scotland is high, the labour market generally works well to meet
that demand.
Skills in Scotland 2006, a major survey that interviewed 6,300 employers in
Scotland about their views of the labour market and skill related issues,
was released today (15 February 2007) by Futureskills Scotland.
Key findings of the survey are:
• Most Scottish workers are considered fully proficient at their jobs by
their employers. For those that are not, often it is because they have just
started their job and are ‘learning the ropes’.
• Businesses tell us that these ‘skill gaps’ have little impact on their
business. Often, this is because employers provide training for staff to
overcome such gaps.
• The majority of Scottish employers provide training for their staff and
about four in ten employees had received some off-the-job training in the 12
months leading up to the survey.
• Attracting appropriately skilled staff is a secondary challenge for
business, alongside attracting new customers and keeping up with changes in
technology.
• The number of skill shortages - where an employer finds it difficult to
fill a vacancy because applicants do not have the right skills,
qualifications or experience - remain small, equivalent to around one per
cent of the total jobs in Scotland and affecting just eight per cent of
establishments.
• However, where there are skill shortages their impact on business can be
significant in terms of cost, quality of service and innovation. Skill
shortages are more common among smaller workplaces.
• Where skill shortages occur, employers consider applicants to be
principally lacking in ‘softer’ core skills such as oral communication,
customer handling and problem solving.
Deputy Minister for Enterprise Allan Wilson said:
"I welcome this report which shows that Scotland has a highly-qualified
workforce.
“It’s encouraging to see that the majority of Scottish employers mirror our
commitment to investment in training and are reaping the benefits with more
than nine in every ten employees identified as fully proficient at their
job. There is still however work to be done to involve employers to realise
the value of investment in workforce development.
“This survey shows that skills shortages are not widespread, they are
equivalent to around 1% of the working population. But we also recognise
that where they do occur they can seriously affect business performance.
That is why we are working closely with the Sector Skills Councils to engage
with employers and training providers to ensure that the supply of skilled
workers meets the demands made on the workforce.
“I’m also encouraged that employer perception of the work-readiness of
school leavers has improved - highlighting the good work of Careers Scotland
and the Enterprise Networks through the 'Determined to Succeed' and 'Get
Ready for Work' programmes."
Dr. Patrick Watt, Head of Futureskills Scotland, said:
“Our employer survey is the largest of its kind in Scotland. It provides a
robust assessment of employers’ views on skills, recruitment and training.
Skills in Scotland 2006 summarises the results for Scotland as a whole
“I look forward to working with other bodies throughout 2007 to examine
these results in more detail”
Niall Stuart, Policy Manager, Federation of Small Businesses Scotland, said:
“As Scotland’s largest direct member business organisation, the Federation
of Small Businesses welcomes this analysis on the skills needs of Scotland’s
employers.
It is critical that there is an objective and reliable examination of the
issues on this scale and Skills in Scotland 2006 provides a sound evidence
base. We will be working with Futureskills Scotland to further develop the
findings in this report to identify specific issues for our members.”
Dr Janet Lowe, Chair of the Scottish Funding Council's Skills Committee
said:
"The Skills Committee welcomes the results of the 2006 Survey. The Employers
Skills Survey is a key part of the evidence base which informs the
Committee's work on ensuring that provision is meeting the needs of the
economy.
"The results of the previous surveys have influenced the Committee's agenda
of priority areas for action, in particular the decision to focus on the
improvement of learners' 'core' or 'soft' skills."
Notes:
• Interviews for the Skills in Scotland survey were conducted by telephone
by IFF Research and the principal respondent in each interview was the
senior person responsible for human resource issues.
• A total of 6,276 workplace/establishment interviews were completed during
June and July 2006.
• The sample of workplace interviews is structured to be representative of
the Scottish economy geographically, by industry and by size of
establishment. The survey covers the private, public and voluntary sectors.
Results are grossed up to be representative of Scotland as a whole.
• The text of the questionnaire used is available from the Futureskills
Scotland website (www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk)
• Futureskills Scotland has six staff. It is part of Scottish Enterprise and
Highlands and Islands Enterprise. It aims to:
Analyse the Scottish labour market to inform policy making in Scotland and
further afield.
Improve the availability, quality and consistency of labour market
information and intelligence across Scotland.
work closely with Careers Scotland to provide the organisation and its
clients with labour market information.
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