Last week the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) launched the The future of jobs commission report. The commission chaired by Rt Hon Esther McVey MP, former Employment Minister, articulates a clear vision for the kind of jobs market the UK should aspire to create by 2025 and lists practical examples for what the government, individuals, recruiters and hiring organisations should be doing to make this vision a reality.
The report focuses on what could be done to improve the current employment market and what the UK jobs market should look like in 2025.
Recommendations
- Hirers should engage with schools, colleges and universities to provide real-world, practical advice and help young people be better prepared.
- Employers need to be more creative with their recruitment procedures, offer flexible work as standard and remove barriers for under-represented groups, e.g. by using collaborative hiring or name-blind recruitment.
- The government should create a new Employment and Skills Advisory Committee to review data and take evidence to help the government plan investments in training, and immigration policy.
- Policy-makers should ensure that all people can progress, for example by making the apprenticeship levy into a broader training levy that benefits all workers.
- The government and business need to find new ways of measuring the success of the UK jobs market, including progress on inclusion, social mobility, pay gaps and productivity.
The world of work is changing, we are seeing the biggest shifts for middle managers with predictions indicating that the demand for highly skilled and low skilled jobs will increase. We are seeing the emergence of new jobs and are becoming increasingly aware that many of the jobs being undertaken today will not exist in as soon as 7 years time. The report explores the impact of new technology, we talk now about artificial intelligence, robotics and 3D printing disrupting the landscape but as we edge closer to 2025 we will undoubtedly be seeing a new raft of technology emerging again to disrupt the system.
The challenge is ensuring a workforce with the skillset to undertake careers, roles and tasks which we are unsure of, a challenge which appears even more monumental when we consider the skills gaps highlighted for young people currently. In addition to this the way people work is changing, there is a rise in self employment and ‘gig economy’ working.
To succeed in having an economy that not only provides jobs but provides opportunities for progression, one in which social mobility and inclusion is the norm there are some recommendations that the report puts forward for each interested party. The report highlights that ‘bridges’ need building to enable workers to progress with a real focus on lifelong learning. To enable all workers to reach their potential the commission suggest that the need for schools, businesses and government to work together like never before.
What does this mean:
For individuals: For individuals the ‘best’ jobs market is one with opportunities to not only get in to work but to progress, there is also a need for people to have choice in how they work. Individuals need to feel fulfilled, respected, and recognised, and are able to progress regardless of background. The report indicates the work that government will need to do particularly in terms of ensuring the education system nurtures individual potential and prepares young people for the changing world of work. However, the commission also notes that the a future jobs market will need individuals to take personal responsibility for their own careers development and take advantage of lifelong learning opportunities. Advice guidance and development is an essential development
For employers: For employers the ‘best’ jobs market is one where evolving skills and staffing needs are met and productivity levels are increasing. Recruitment procedures will need to be ‘re-imagined’ and management and leadership capability will need to be enhanced. Employers must be planning for the future workforce the change in demographics, flexible working, multigenerational workforce, and the use of data are just some issues that will need to be considered immediately. As technology advances managers must plan their workforce needs more creatively to get the talent they need. Access to UK, EU and global talent will remain critical as will the work with schools and colleges to inspire and ensure a future workforce.
For policy makers: The commission state the key role government has in ensuring education is preparing young people for a new and changing world of work. There is also a recommendation that infrastructure that enables lifelong learning and for individuals to be able to navigate and make transitions in this ever changing market. There is a need ensure that a post-EU landscape there is a vibrant supply and demand of staff, a progressive and balanced immigration system that allows businesses to fill skills gaps where appropriate.
The report is not an end in itself, it signals the start of a series a future-facing activities that will help to build the kind of jobs market we want to see emerge. The REC is committed to working with policy makers and all interested parties to make this vision a reality.
Next steps:
- Read the full report and find out more about the REC here
- Find out how you can join our community of youth friendly employers working to tackle some of these problems here
- Explore our Young Professional Membership our tool for allowing young people to explore and manage their own skill development
