The report, published earlier this week, highlights how £1.16 billion is spent by employers each year trying to fill job vacancies but 23% of these posts are recognised as 'hard to fill' and often need additional resources to get the right candidate.
This is despite the fact there are up to 20 people in some areas chasing each job vacancy. Learndirect found many of these people remain confused about the skills and personal qualities employers are looking for.
Learndirect has urged employers to offer young people aged 16-19 an alternative to traditional classroom-taught maths and English, including the option to study these subjects online; ensuring employers are clearer about their expectations of candidates in advertisements and job descriptions; make greater use of online recruitment to drive down costs and to deliver a more efficient recruitment process; and ensure young people are better prepared for the workplace as well as better informed on education, training and employment options post-16.
Learndirect is also taking to the streets over the next month to highlight the issue and help people think about the skills they have and how they can best showcase them to potential employers. Using street theatre it will be explaining to people how to write CVs and job applications, plan for an interview and build confidence.
The full report can be downloaded at www.learndirect.co.uk/workready
