Employer Skills Survey Results Published

The results of the 2015 Employer Skills Survey, managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), have been published by Employment and Learning Minister Dr Stephen Farry.

Minister Farry launched the report at an meeting of business, education and training representatives in Belfast Metropolitan College's Titanic Quarter Campus.

Minister Farry said: "The survey results show substantial growth across Northern Ireland in the number of employers active in the recruitment market in 2015 compared to 2013. It showed that the number of establishments in Northern Ireland that reported vacancies rose as did the number of vacancies in businesses as a percentage of their employment. This points to a stronger labour market activity and positive changes in the economy.

"The survey suggests the growing complexity of job roles, across all occupations, requiring individuals to juggle multiple strands of work and responsibility. Encouragingly employers are responding through training, with increased use of e-learning, but there is clear demand for employers to do more training geared specifically to the requirements of an evolving workplace.

"It is only by getting a clear understanding of current and future skill needs that we can tailor our programmes effectively to meet the needs of the economy. The Employer Skills Survey is one further piece of substantive evidence to help us do that."

Key findings from the Employer Skills Survey 2015 include:

• The survey found that vacancies in Northern Ireland were 'easier-to-fill' compared with England, Scotland and Wales. Hard to fill vacancies were lower as a proportion of total vacancies in Northern Ireland when compared to the rest of the UK (22 per cent compared to 33 per cent);

• The percentage of total vacancies that were skills shortage vacancies fell in Northern Ireland from 2011 (whereas the percentage rose in the rest of the UK);

• The most common type of action taken by Northern Ireland establishments to fill skills shortage vacancies included increasing advertising/recruitment spend; using new recruitment methods; and redefining existing jobs;

• Employers in Northern Ireland were the least likely to report a lack of proficiency in their staff. Just nine per cent of employers cited skills gaps within their establishment here (down from 14% in 2013). Skills gaps were more prominent for establishments in Belfast, those employing 100-249 employees and the Hotel & Restaurant, Wholesale & Retail and Manufacturing sectors;

• Close to one in five employers in Northern Ireland reporting a skills gap indicated that this had a major impact on their business (similar to the proportion in the rest of the UK) and the main action taken by business to address skills gaps was to increase training;

• The survey showed that establishments in Northern Ireland were least likely to have difficulties with retaining staff (7%) and establishments in Scotland most likely to report them (10%);

• Across the UK, nearly two in five establishments (39%) reported having employees with qualifications more advanced than required for their current job role. Employers in Northern Ireland and England were marginally less likely than those in Wales and Scotland to report under-utilisation (28% and 30% compared to 34% and 32%, respectively);

• There were also increases in the proportion of the workforce trained in Northern Ireland (56% in 2011, 59% in 2013 and 64% in 2015). In Northern Ireland, larger employers were more likely to train as well as the public sector.

The Minister concluded: "The survey highlights that Northern Ireland is performing well on a number of measures however I would urge the business community to further invest in skills training in order to meet the needs of the economy and to build the skills for the future. This is not solely an issue for government to focus on, it is a challenge we must face collectively – with employers, individuals, government and other stakeholders working together to achieve a common vision.

"There is no doubt that equipping people with the skills they need is at the very heart of delivering a prosperous future for individuals, businesses and the Northern Ireland economy. While we have an overarching requirement to deliver a greater volume of higher level skills, it is clear that there are a range of pathways to secure this outcome, including both the traditional university route and, increasingly through apprenticeships at higher levels.

"It is therefore vital that Northern Ireland has in place not only a strong higher education system but also a strong and efficient route for the delivery of high level professional and technical skills. To do that we are rolling out a range of Departmental Strategies around Higher Education, Further Education, Apprenticeships and Youth Training."

(MH)