Blog

Lack of skills shortage planning is a threat to businesses across the country, with 71% saying they don’t have a plan for growing skills (Open University). With 20% of the UK workforce under skilled for their jobs by 2030, just five years’ time, this is a growing problem that businesses need to address to protect themselves long term.

We are seeing positive signs in the employment market with available roles in the region up by 3% on January, which was up 67% on December. However this is down 19% on February last year, a sure sign that upcoming changes to the minimum wage and national insurance are having an impact.

Those who hold a CIPD qualification can also earn up to 12% more than those without, according to Lightcast. HR roles requesting CIPD Qualifications pay on average £4,400 more than without. The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) qualifications in 2025 will remain highly respected in the HR and people management field, with each level corresponding to specific career stages and responsibilities.

As we expected, this month we have seen a rebound from the tighter December market with a 67% increase on regional role availability, a sign the employment market is heading for a better start to the year.

December can always prove a tighter employment market, with many celebrating the season with family and friends, and the search for a new role and new team members taking a back seat.

As we approach 2025, the hiring landscape is poised for significant changes. From the increasing use of AI to shifts in economic conditions, the Employment Rights Bill and workplace dynamics, it will be interesting to see what the year ahead brings.

November was an interesting month in the employment market, following the announcement of the budget last month.

You spend so much of your time finding great talent; taking them through the interview process, supporting with offer negotiation and ensuring they are prepared for their first day. But what plans do you have in place to ensure you keep them?

Conducting effective interviews is a skill, one that you can hone throughout your career. And there is more to an interview than simply sitting across from your prospective candidate, either in person or on screen.

It's clear that uncertainty around the budget and the longer half term break has had an impact on hiring across the region.

On average, a person will spend a third of their life at work, or 3,507 days over their lifetime. And when we’re spending so many precious hours working, it’s crucial that we’re doing so in a way that is, at the very least, manageable but hopefully enjoyable and satisfying too.

One of the biggest budgets of a generation was announced by Chancellor Reeves this week, but did it go far enough?