UK employers struggle to fill job vacancies

ONS survey shows more vacancies than unemployed, revealing need for online talent acquisition services for employers to stay competitive 

LONDON, ENGLAND — Amidst the “Great Resignation”, UK employers are facing unexpected difficulty in finding, hiring and retaining staff for job openings, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the ratio of vacancies to every 100 employee jobs has hit a record-high 4.3.

The data illustrates why job board sites and online talent acquisition services like Click Jobs can be beneficial for companies looking to access the best talent pool and stand out from their competitors.

In its May 2022 statistical bulletin, the ONS revealed, “The number of job vacancies in February to April 2022 rose to a new record of 1,295,000 — an increase of 33,700 from the previous quarter and an increase of 499,300 from the pre-coronavirus pandemic level in January to March 2020.”

Additionally, “for the first time, the number of vacancies was larger than the number of people unemployed”.

“The ratio of vacancies to every 100 employee jobs reached a further record high of 4.3 in February to April 2022, with 11 of the 18 industry sectors displaying record-high ratios,” the data revealed.

Digitally recruit for your job

Companies struggling to find, hire and retain staff should consider upping their digital recruitment strategies.

Sterling Managing Director, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Steve Smith commented on the findings, stressing the importance of digital recruitment in this environment.

He said, “The fact that vacancies are continuing to break records across the UK, surpassing our unemployment rate, shows that employers are still struggling to find and hire staff — and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

“It’s been no secret that businesses are facing a concerning dearth of talent while also having to scale up recruitment to a level that many haven’t faced before.”

As such, Smith added, “The need for innovation and technological evolution in the recruitment process has never been more critical and the shift to digital identity will be a real enabler for businesses looking to quickly and compliantly source new resources to meet the current demand.”

Online talent acquisition a solution

Online recruitment services like Click Jobs can help employers access the best talent pool.

Over the course of the last year, with the onset of the “Great Resignation”, recruiters have noted increasing competition for filling available jobs not just in the UK but worldwide.

Thanks to COVID-19, people began reconsidering their career choices, with many showing a marked preference for remote work. As such, companies have had to work harder to attract top talent in their respective fields.

Talent acquisition services like Click Jobs can therefore help employers gain the upper hand in accessing the best of the talent pool.

Find jobs available in the UK or USA today via Click Jobs.