The latest Professional Hiring Index is based partly on a poll of 200 UK HR directors. It suggests that one-third (33%) are finding it “very challenging” to fill roles, while 60% report it being "somewhat challenging".
The most common issue that HRDs cite in finding skilled candidates is a lack of niche technical experts (34%). This is closely followed by demand for skilled candidates simply outstripping supply (33%).
Hiring freezes during the recession leading to a lack of skilled candidates (20%) and struggling to find people with business and commercial acumen (14%) are the other main reasons.
Strong financial services hiring
A separate survey of 500 C-Suite executives included in the report suggests financial services is the most optimistic of any sector in the UK.
Almost half (48%) of CFOs in the industry plan on hiring to increase headcount in the second half of 2014, up from 37% 12 months ago.
However, skills shortages continue to be an issue. Almost all (97%) of those questioned said it was challenging to hire people to fill key roles. Compliance roles (90%) are the hardest to find the right skills for. This is followed by finance (86%) and data analytics (84%).
Robert Half senior UK managing director Phil Sheridan put increased hiring down to executives looking to add more “weight and support” to their departments. He admitted skills shortages are still becoming a “major issue”.
“This deficit is putting businesses at increased risk,” he said. “They are no longer just replacing leavers but are now looking to substantially expand their teams. Resourcing is fundamental to an organisation’s success, with strong individuals driving business critical growth initiatives.”
