The organisation’s latest survey also reveals that nearly one in five of its members say that skills and workforce ability is a barrier to growth
Nearly two thirds (59%) of Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid members have had difficulties in recruiting in the past three months, according to the results of its recent quarterly survey*.
Around a third (31%) said they expect their workforce to increase in the next three months, with 28% also saying they have increased their investment in training over the same time period.
Yet, 17% said that skills and workforce availability is one of the biggest barriers to growth for their company, coming in second on the survey to market demand at 19%.
When asked about capacity, 64% of respondents said they are currently working below capacity, with 57% citing a lack of orders as the main reason.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Dr Fiona Withey, COO of Chambers Wales, said: “Skills and labour are a major blocker for many of our members, not just gaining and retaining talent, but also paying for it when they do employ the right people.
“The survey also found that more than three quarters (76%) of those who took part in the survey fell under pressure to raise prices because of labour costs.”
Fiona added: “This makes the whole situation really tricky for our members, as they are keen to employ and train people, and give people a start in their companies, but are feeling the pressure from all sides in finding the right people and juggling the cost of retaining good staff with keeping costs low for customers and clients.
“Many of our members have told us that the cost to employ people due to increases in National Insurance, minimum wage, as well as now the changes in employment law, are all making it very difficult to employ permanent full-time staff. The results of this survey demonstrate this issue in real terms – as a serious barrier to economic growth.
“We will continue to campaign for our members around these issues in the coming months to ensure their views and challenges are heard and hopefully acted upon.”
For more information about the Chambers Wales, visit: https://cw-seswm.com/