Three-quarters of HR professionals are experiencing recruitment difficulties
despite the economic downturn, according to a CIPD report.
Recruitment and Retention 2002, launched today at the CIPD’s annual
recruitment conference, shows the two biggest reasons for the recruitment
problems are a lack of experience and skills among candidates, both cited by
more than half of the 750 HR professionals polled.
The findings mirror an IRS poll, published in Personnel Today last week,
where three-quarters of the 300 HR professionals questioned said recruitment is
their main priority.
To beat the problem, employers are looking to improve staff remuneration
packages, with six out of 10 increasing pay and benefits. Respondents said
improving the company image and brand was also important, as is making jobs and
working conditions more attractive.
Half of those surveyed said they also had retention problems.
To combat retention problems, HR professionals had focused on increasing
quality training and development, and 42 per cent offered more flexible
working.
Traditional recruitment methods are still heavily used by employers, with 87
per cent using local newspapers.
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Duncan Brown, assistant director of CIPD said: "I was surprised at the
extent of the problem. We know certain areas were bad but did not think it was
this widespread."
