Creating a more highly skilled UK workforce should be the top recruitment-related priority for new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, sector bodies say.

Corbyn completed his journey from rank outsider to leader of the Labour Party at a special conference in London at the weekend.

Commenting on Corbyn’s election, Tom Hadley, Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) director of policy and professional services, told Recruiter in a statement that improving productivity and boosting progression opportunities for low-paid workers is one issue the REC is keen to discuss with Labour’s new leader.

"Finding new ways of addressing the current skills disconnect will help workers, as well as UK businesses and is something that all political parties should prioritise,” Hadley said.

"We will engage positively with the new Labour leader and shadow cabinet, and use our regular data to support practical solutions to current jobs market challenges. 

“We will also need to be proactive in demonstrating our industry's contribution to the UK economy and labour market and in challenging any misconceptions.”

Meanwhile, Samantha Hurley, head of external relations and compliance at the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo), urged Corbyn to develop a labour market strategy that takes account of the differences within the overall recruitment sector. 

“Access to highly skilled professional talent, supplied in the main through business-to-business arrangements, requires a different legislative programme to that needed for the attainment of low-paid, potentially vulnerable workers, and historically the professional recruitment sector has suffered collateral damage because of a broad-brush approach to employment legislation.  

“Agency workers are not a homogenous group, and it is particularly telling that the majority of contractors placed by APSCo members opt out of the UK’s Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Business Regulations because the protection provided by these regulations is most applicable to lower-paid, lower-skilled workers who may be vulnerable to exploitation,” she added.

Azmat Mohammed, founder and director general at the Institute of Recruiters (IOR), said in a statement he hoped to connect with the new Labour leadership to establish what its priorities would be in terms of job creation and employment.

“Many businesses rely on skills from overseas labour, so we want to hear what their views are on quotas of skilled labour coming from outside the EU and into the UK.

“We will look to receive assurances on their commitment to creating more apprenticeships and welcome the economic ideas that could bring about vast new infrastructure projects that will boost the economy and create a raft of new jobs,” he added.

As part of his first duties as leader this morning, Corbyn named his first shadow cabinet. Angela Eagle was appointed shadow business secretary, replacing Chuka Umunna, who stepped down from his front bench post.

• What do you think of the new appointment? Want to comment on this story? The Comment box is at the bottom of the page. Sorry for the glitch but just scroll right down and share your opinions!