Devon businesses recruit low levels of career starters

Survey reveals skills needs of Devon businesses

Devon businesses are only recruiting low numbers of young people looking for their first job since leaving education, according to research published today by Devon County Council.

The Devon County Council Workforce Skills Survey aims to better understand the issues and challenges facing businesses in Devon in relation to skills, with one of these areas being recruitment.

The research found that in the last three years, only a third (32 per cent) of businesses in Devon have employed someone in their first job since leaving school, 31 per cent since leaving a further education college, and just 22 per cent since leaving university.

This varied across the sectors with accommodation and food services offering the most employment opportunities to those in their first job since leaving school. For those leaving FE Colleges, financial and insurance based businesses offered the most employment opportunities, and for graduates it was the arts and entertainment, followed by education.

Businesses felt they didn’t have suitable roles for the school and FE leavers at this early stage of their career, or required more experienced employees, whereas for university leavers, a third of businesses did not require graduate level skills.

However, businesses that had taken on career starters registered high levels of satisfaction with their readiness for work.

The survey also found that just under a quarter of Devon businesses (24 per cent) had employed staff undertaking apprenticeships, with 26 per cent of businesses planning to offer an apprenticeship in the next three years.

More than half (52 per cent) did not plan to offer an apprenticeship due to concern over whether they would have time to provide the right level of supervision, and the age of the apprentice which could inhibit the level of experience they could bring to the role.

Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for Economy and Growth, said:

“The findings of this research are concerning, but this is an issue that is being faced at national level, as well as in Devon.  Providing employment opportunities for Devon’s young people, including apprenticeships, is essential, both to young people and industry as a whole, so this is an area we are focussed on.

“We have a successful apprenticeship scheme within the County Council, providing a range of opportunities for young people. We are working with local businesses to provide them with support so they better understand the value of taking on a young person or an apprentice to their business, as well as the wider benefits in terms of having a skilled local workforce for Devon’s future economic growth.”

Other findings from the research showed that the majority (67 per cent) of firms in Devon are open to and receive training, but only 35 per cent have a dedicated training budget.  20 per cent of businesses are planning to increase their spend on training in the next 12 months.

The survey found that businesses in Devon have a high staff retention rate, with only 1 in 10 businesses finding it hard to recruit staff, and most (89 per cent) firms reporting that staff had the right skills to be a proficient at their job.

The findings of the survey will be used to inform an annual State of Skills in Devon report, which will include recommendations for action, and will form part of the wider Workforce Skills research programme.

The survey was undertaken with 381 businesses in Devon, based on a sample that is statistically representative of Devon’s sectors. The research was led by SERIO, a research unit based at Plymouth University.

For further information please visit the website.