Worldwide, 80% of organisations are planning to hire more employees in the fourth quarter of 2021. The biggest challenges will be found in manufacturing (72%), financial insurance, real estate and related services (71%), transportation, warehousing, communications and resident services (69%), agriculture, forestry, fishing and construction (68%), and trading (60%).
A total of 15 countries (Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Finland, Canada, Mexico and the USA) are reported to be on the lookout for a record-high number of employees. The talent shortage has reached its highest level since the beginning of the study in 1962.
“For the second quarter in a row, Lithuania has been experiencing active development of new workplaces, high employee turnover, and challenges in attracting specialists. When we speak to our clients – companies who need recruitment services, we keep hearing about managers who are about to give up as they are unable to find the employees they need, no matter the measures taken. Many companies are resolving the situation by increasing the salary, but this is a short-term solution as the employees move on after receiving a better offer from another employer. I believe a single solution to this problem does not exist. However, the combination of several measures might yield results,” said Božena Petikonis-Šabanienė, CEO of HR solutions company “Manpower”.
Priority for Training
When looking for ways to retain their current employees and attract new ones, employers are attempting to find and apply special benefit packages. According to the study, employers seeking finance specialists are inclined to offer more training and professional development courses, topped with flexible workplaces. The manufacturing sector is focusing on introducing flexible work schedules, despite the stationary positions of employees. The construction sector is in great need of workers, resulting in employers motivating future employees by offering higher salaries.
The results of the ManpowerGroup global study reveal that out of the 80% of companies seeking employees, 41% will offer training, tutorials, and professional development courses, 39% will introduce flexible hours, 31% will work on increasing salaries, 23% will develop a performance-based bonus system, 20% will offer additional benefits (e.g. holidays), and 20% will lower the requirements for experience and skillsets.
Quick courses for technical and soft skills development are increasing in popularity. They are used by 7 in 10 employers. As many as 69% of the surveyed companies have introduced professional development courses lasting 6 weeks or less: 56% choose quick professional qualification development courses, and 55% decide on soft skills development courses (up to 6 weeks). While rarely chosen, longer courses that last more than 6 weeks are no less important to employers: 52% use technical skills courses (more than 6 weeks), 50% choose careers mentoring and 50% introduce professional qualification development courses (longer than 6 weeks).
“According to our international study, the majority of employers will take action in professional qualification development and flexibility, and this is becoming the norm. I would say that a company not offering flexibility and training courses for its employees and managers would not be able to attract new employees and would only lose the ones they have. A new phenomenon has manifested as well. Almost one fifth of employers are ready to reduce their expectations and requirements for candidates. I believe that Lithuanians have also reached the point where they should reassess the situation and think whether or not they are seeking that which does not exist,” said Ms. Petikonis-Šabanienė.
The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey is the longest and most detailed ongoing study focused on employment plans and has been implemented since 1962. More than 45,000 employers in 43 countries were questioned in the fourth quarter of 2021. The goal of the survey was to assess employers’ intentions regarding the employment of new employees or the termination of their positions. For more information on the results of the ManpowerGroup study, please go to: https://go.manpowergroup.com/meos
Translated by MP Translations Agency in Kaunas
