Flexible employment at the heart of UK job creation, finds Accenture-CBI study
17 December 2013
An upturn in recruitment by UK firms in 2014 will have flexible employment patterns at its heart, finds a report published today by professional services firm Accenture and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
Tue, 17 Dec 2013An upturn in recruitment by UK firms in 2014 will have flexible employment patterns at its heart, finds a report published today by professional services firm Accenture and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
It shows 97% of the 325 companies surveyed viewing flexible employment –including agency workers and zero-hours contracts – as either ‘vital’ or ‘important’ to the UK economy.
Business leaders say coping with fluctuation in demand is the top reason to use flexible work (according to 87% of respondents), ahead of responding rapidly to opportunities (81%) – as well as being a stepping stone into work for those vulnerable long-term unemployed (58%) and allowing choice for workers (65%).
Businesses view the biggest current threats to UK labour market flexibility as employment regulations (68%), with 79% saying that if the UK were to lose its European Working Time regulations opt-out, there would be a negative effect.
The CBI/Accenture Employment Trends Survey, available online, also shows 51% of companies expect their workforce to be larger in 12 months’ time. This is the first time that more companies expect to create jobs than do not expect to since the start of recession in 2008. The East Midlands and Yorkshire & Humberside regions are the two tipped for top jobs growth.
The survey also shows that permanent job growth is expected to be stronger than temp hiring, and that there will be increasing opportunities for young people to find work through apprenticeships and graduate recruitment.
CBI chief policy director Katja Hall commets: “It’s good to see jobs being created across most regions, not just London and the South-East. Our labour market performed well throughout the recession, and pay caution and flexible contracts will continue to underpin growth.
Olly Benzecry, managing director for Accenture in the UK and Ireland, adds: “The skills agenda is critical to not only sustain this growth but to make it inclusive, increasing employability and opportunities for young people who are not in a job, training or education.
“There is much to be done if the UK is to remain competitive in the global economy, attract investment and tackle the challenge of youth unemployment.”
However, last week recruiter.co.uk reported that for London firms the biggest barrier to hiring is not skills, but the cost of living.
It shows 97% of the 325 companies surveyed viewing flexible employment –including agency workers and zero-hours contracts – as either ‘vital’ or ‘important’ to the UK economy.
Business leaders say coping with fluctuation in demand is the top reason to use flexible work (according to 87% of respondents), ahead of responding rapidly to opportunities (81%) – as well as being a stepping stone into work for those vulnerable long-term unemployed (58%) and allowing choice for workers (65%).
Businesses view the biggest current threats to UK labour market flexibility as employment regulations (68%), with 79% saying that if the UK were to lose its European Working Time regulations opt-out, there would be a negative effect.
The CBI/Accenture Employment Trends Survey, available online, also shows 51% of companies expect their workforce to be larger in 12 months’ time. This is the first time that more companies expect to create jobs than do not expect to since the start of recession in 2008. The East Midlands and Yorkshire & Humberside regions are the two tipped for top jobs growth.
The survey also shows that permanent job growth is expected to be stronger than temp hiring, and that there will be increasing opportunities for young people to find work through apprenticeships and graduate recruitment.
CBI chief policy director Katja Hall commets: “It’s good to see jobs being created across most regions, not just London and the South-East. Our labour market performed well throughout the recession, and pay caution and flexible contracts will continue to underpin growth.
Olly Benzecry, managing director for Accenture in the UK and Ireland, adds: “The skills agenda is critical to not only sustain this growth but to make it inclusive, increasing employability and opportunities for young people who are not in a job, training or education.
“There is much to be done if the UK is to remain competitive in the global economy, attract investment and tackle the challenge of youth unemployment.”
However, last week recruiter.co.uk reported that for London firms the biggest barrier to hiring is not skills, but the cost of living.
