Employers could tackle jobs market with e-learning

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has suggested that UK employers could address the issues presented by an increasingly competitive jobs market by holding on to existing staff and providing additional training - and this could even take the form of online learning. 

According to the latest Resourcing and Talent Planning Survey 2013 from the CIPD, which was carried out in collaboration with Hays Human Resources, the war for talent has increased threefold since 2009. 

Competition for well-qualified individuals was reported as being particularly intense by 20 per cent of employers back in 2009, but this figure has expanded to stand at 62 per cent in the present day. 

This means that almost two-thirds of recruiters have experienced difficulties filling vacancies in the past year, with managerial and professional roles cited as being the hardest to fill - identified as an issue for 52 per cent of respondents. 

Up-skilling existing members of staff for particularly tough positions to fill has become one of the more common means of dealing with the matter. 

Corporate websites and recruitment agencies are considered to be some of the most effective methods of attracting new talent - and an increased use of social media in employment drives was also identified as a prevalent trend. 

The CIPD/Cornerstone OnDemand Learning and Talent Development Survey 2013 recently suggested that too few firms are making the most of e-learning opportunities - although now could be the ideal time to start taking advantage of such offerings. 

Director at Hays Human Resources Barney Ely said: "Workers are still being cautious when considering a new role so employers are facing a competitive market when trying to attract people to fill skills gaps." 

"They should step up to this challenge by retaining and training their existing workforce with career development and progression initiatives," the expert continued.