Workforce upskilling as the key to closing the UK skills gap, Enginuity snapshot report reveals

More than half of SMEs have experienced difficulties recruiting suitably skilled workers in the last six months. Just 33% felt slightly or very confident that they could recruit enough workers over the next 3-5 years. 

Although the UK Government’s commitment to extensive upskilling is promising, the reality of short-term, quick-fix skills reforms for SMEs is often overwhelming. 

Interestingly, 58% agree that lack of candidates with appropriate, industry-level qualifications is the most common driver of the skills gap. Combine this with over half of SMEs feeling slightly or very confident that they can train enough workers to meet their needs, workforce upskilling is the obvious way forward. 

Upskilling your employees should be a priority...

"The majority of the businesses I speak to trust their workers implicitly - they just need to upgrade their skillset to keep up with the fast-paced nature of the tech industry. 

Our training solutions are really adaptable, so creating a bespoke program that suits each individual employee’s existing skill sets and future goals while still prioritising business needs is instinctive, as well as satisfying."

How can I effectively upskill my workforce?

A skills shortage, rather than a labour shortage, presents the perfect opportunity for businesses to invest in existing employees via tech and business skills training. Debenhams Group are already making moves with their AI Skills Academy, with the aim to to create “future-ready workforce” and “close the AI skills gap”.  

Counteracting the instability of inflation and governmental reforms with an investment into your reliable workforce is beneficial for both employer and employee. Scaling back on costly recruitment helps businesses balance the books, while still retaining talent; The World Economic Forum highlighted earlier this year that 94% of employees would stay at their company longer if their employer invested in their career development.