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Employers say candidates have poor soft skillsLack of skilled candidates is the biggest challenge to recruitment. A recent survey about recruitment trends by XpertHR, the HR information solutions provider, shows that 95% of employers cite low quality of candidates as a barrier to recruitment. The XpertHR survey asked 94 organisations with a combined workforce of 216,834 employees about the range of factors that have prevented them from recruiting candidates over the last 12 months. Employers pointed to poor communication, customer service and attitude to employment. Financial services employersResponding to the report, John Carter, Skills Academy Director for New Talent said: “This mirrors feedback we’ve been given from financial services employers.” The Skills Academy regularly speaks to financial services employers of all sizes about their approach to recruitment. Feedback from these employers has consistently shown that when considering applicants, skills are valued as much as qualifications. Those skills can cover a broad range but certainly include softer business skills. “Communication skills, customer service and personal effectiveness are seen as critical and are complementary to possessing a positive attitude, with a willingness to work hard and learn,” said John. Addressing softer skillsThe Skills Academy’s new talent initiative aims at addressing these softer skills needs and ensuring that candidates are fully equipped for the workplace. Through the new talent initiative, the Skills Academy is able to test and assess skills and attributes so that an employer can make a more informed decision on whether to offer an applicant a position. The benefits of this to the employer are less time invested in new joiners who ultimately fail to achieve the necessary standards once they are in employment.” For further information about the New Talent initiative please contact John Carter. |
The National Financial Services Skills Academy is a company, limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales with company number 6205260. The registered address is GD Law, 10 St Bride Street, London EC4A 4AD. The trading name is the National Skills Academy for Financial Services. A Registered Charity number 1129904.
