3 minute read
Posted by Emily Hill on 24 August 2023
The UK economy is currently grappling with a substantial number of vacancies for frontline positions, amounting to a remarkable 1.134 million unfilled roles.
This situation is causing considerable challenges for business operations, as highlighted by the British Chamber of Commerce.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that 13.3% of businesses surveyed have encountered a shortage of workers.
Notably, the shortage of Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) drivers in the UK remains a pressing issue, with the deficit estimated at nearly 50,000 drivers.
Industries such as construction, hospitality, and distribution are particularly feeling the impact of this labour shortage.
The consequences are twofold: an increased and intricate demand for skilled individuals and a diminished supply of suitable candidates.
In this context, employees are finding themselves with a wider array of job options, prompting organisations to develop innovative strategies for recruitment, retention, and onboarding, all while placing a strong emphasis on employee satisfaction.
Wincanton, a prominent leader in the UK’s logistics sector, serves as an example of an organisation acknowledging the necessity for adaptation in the face of labour shortages.
James Wroath, Chief Executive at Wincanton, points out that the shortage of drivers is just the beginning of broader resource scarcities within the logistics sector.
Regularly incoming data highlights record vacancy numbers from both internal sources and recruitment partners.
This intense competition for talent has led to wage inflation, and many individuals are opting for agency work due to the flexibility it offers, even over permanent positions.
Given these challenges, the conventional approaches to recruitment and talent acquisition are proving inadequate in the current environment. Organisations are compelled to adopt a people-centred approach that prioritises the needs and aspirations of their workforce.
In response, Wincanton has introduced an innovative pre-hire assessment process.
Collaborating with ThriveMap as part of their W² Labs program, they’ve developed a digital tool named “Recruiter” to address these challenges.
This tool automates the pre-hire assessment process, streamlining the recruitment team’s ability to extend timely offers to suitable candidates.
Additionally, it provides candidates with a virtual glimpse into the work environment, enabling them to gain a better understanding of the role they’re applying for and facilitating self-selection out of the process if the role isn’t a good fit.
The outcomes of Wincanton’s efforts are impressive, with a noteworthy 50% improvement in conversion rates, a substantial 150% increase in job offers extended, and an impressive 91% of candidates reporting positive experiences.
Furthermore, the time taken to extend offers has been reduced by 96%, underscoring the effectiveness of this innovative approach in addressing the challenges posed by the ongoing labour shortage.
Read the case study on Wincanton’s website: www.wincanton.co.uk/news-and-media/success-stories/recruiter-wincanton-intelligent-digital-recruitment-solution/
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