80% of local firms struggling to find skilled workers
EIGHT in 10 Northern Ireland businesses are facing major challenges in recruiting staff, a new report has warned.
The NI Chamber’s Quarterly Economic Survey for July to September found that the number of manufacturing firms having difficulties in finding skilled workers was the highest on record since 2011.
The report, produced with business advisory firm BDO, was based on the responses of 243 businesses, employing 21,000 people between them. It indicated that almost half of the companies surveyed said they had not yet sought any advice on Brexit.
However, 50% of all the businesses said difficulties around recruitment were harming productivity the most.
The survey comes two weeks after 21 business organisations in Northern Ireland wrote to Prime Minister Theresa May to express their concern that placing limits on European workers after Brexit would critically impact daily operations.
NI Chamber chief executive Ann McGregor, who signed the letter, said the latest survey reinforced the point.
“There are serious skills gaps opening up for firms, and we urgently need a way to resolve this. This is also set to get worse post-March 2019,” she added.
Brian Murphy, managing partner at BDO, said while the survey showed many firms were aiming to recruit in the next 12 months, the pool of candidates did not appear to be there.
Ms McGregor also called on the Government to work with businesses to develop an immigration policy that supports the economy and for an intervention from the Chancellor in Monday’s Budget.
“The survey also revealed that support from the Government in up-skilling workers, reducing business costs and driving growth would be beneficial to increasing productivity,” she said.
“With a lack of a government here, the upcoming Budget must deliver immediate localised actions to boost growth and productivity, such as city deals, at a time when the economy here needs it most.”