Three in every four UK companies that are looking to recruit workers are struggling to do so, according to new figures released by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Their research is drawn from over 5,700 businesses, and reveal significant recruitment struggles in all industries.
The construction sector is facing the most severe recruitment challenges, with 83% reporting difficulties. This is closely followed by production and manufacturing on 79%, logistics on 79% and hospitality on 78%.
Attempted recruitment in Q2 remained broadly the same as the previous quarter, with 61% of firms looking to find staff (60% in Q1 2022). But more than three quarters of firms (76%) continue to report recruitment difficulties, dropping just two percentage points from Q1 (78%).
There are 1.3 million unfilled jobs in our economy and now fewer people in the workforce than before the pandemic.
Responding to the findings, Head of People Policy at the British Chambers of Commerce, Jane Gratton, said:
“Businesses remain under huge pressure to fill jobs, but record levels of recruitment difficulty are showing no signs of improvement. Solutions are urgently needed, so that firms can keep their doors open throughout these tough times.”
