Survey reveals skills shortage (From The Bolton News)

Survey reveals skills shortage

BUSINESSES are finding it harder than ever to recruit staff with the right skills according to Greater Manchester Chambers latest Quarterly Economic Survey.

The survey shows that 86 per cent of manufacturers and 85 per cent of service sector firms reported difficulty in finding suitable staff over the first quarter of this year, an increase of nine per cent on the previous quarter. Both sectors said they had found it harder to recruit professional and managerial staff.

Philip Maloney, Economic Research Executive at the Chamber, said: "Both manufacturing and the service sector are finding it increasingly difficult to find skilled staff, particularly at managerial level. This illustrates once again that there is a skills gap which needs to be bridged."

The need for a more highly skilled workforce was one of the main business issues proposed in the Chamber's election manifesto, which was launched earlier this month.

Overall the survey showed that business growth was stalling as sales and orders slipped. Its key findings included disappointing sales and orders results for service sector firms. Falls are even more marked in the export market where current levels are at their lowest for six quarters.

Twenty six per cent of manufacturers and four per cent of service firms reported worsening cash flow over the last three months.

The positive figures recorded among manufacturers last quarter have continued, with sales figures increasing and orders remaining stable.

But export sales and manufacturing orders are down considerably this quarter.

Philip Maloney added: "The recent decision by the Monetary Policy Committee to hold interest rates at their current level was correct. Given the result of this quarterly survey we believe the committee should forcefully reject calls for any increase."