Skills shortage is the biggest challenge facing new government

A major headache for fast growing companies in the manufacturing and engineering sector, who are some of the country’s top wealth creators, is access to a pool of skilled talent. These companies are responsible for some of the highest levels of job creation in the British economy, but to maintain the heightened momentum of growth, they need to be able to source and recruit the right talent.

Condeco Software, one of the UK’s fastest growing companies themselves, are approaching $25m turnover and have employed over 200 people around the world off the back of their phenomenal growth.

Paul Statham, CEO, Condeco Software says: “More and more global companies are looking to invest in their work places to attract the very best talent, and help them stay ahead of their competitors and continue to grow. The more sophisticated businesses are also taking advantage of state of the art technology which enhances productivity and ultimately has a positive impact on employee retention.”

“Employees in the UK manufacturing and engineering sector work the longest hours in Europe and spend an average of 40-42 hours per week in the office. A company’s office space has a direct impact on the morale and productivity of its employees, but can also create an empowering work culture and help attract potential recruits.”

Companies are increasingly looking to invest in their workplaces with technology to help keep up with the developments of their competitors. Prospective recruits are looking further than salary and job perks to the very design of the office, as they will be spending most of their time there.

Paul Statham concludes: “The talent which has emerged from the manufacturing and engineering sector in the last couple of years are more tech savvy than their predecessors and value a more agile workplace. Technology is revolutionising the workplace and the new generation recognise the ability of embedded technologies to aid in increasing efficiency, while also creating break out areas and collaborative spaces which have a positive impact on productivity. Companies should be looking to match the needs and desires of this current generation of workers, in order to stand out from their competitors.”