As award-winning supply chain, procurement and logistics recruitment specialists, we’ve received our fair share of questions regarding the future of recruitment after the UK leaves the European Union. Although we are confident about the future, many recruiters in Scotland do not feel the same way.
A difficult time for Scotland’s recruiters
Brexit aside, Scotland’s recruitment industry has been struggling for some time now. Factors such as a lethargic candidate base with unrealistic pay expectations and a shrinking skills pool have all contributed to a lack of industry confidence.
A managing director at a company that places permanent and contract workers in sectors including engineering, construction and administration was quoted in a recent Recruiter article as saying that
“before the referendum there was an apathy in the Scottish labour market and there still is to a certain extent when it comes to candidates taking certain roles. That mindset will prevail, unfortunately.”
Although Scottish recruiters are anxious, many believe that the industry is resilient enough to thrive – even when the future looks uncertain.
Is Scotland set for a second bid for independence?
Despite the UK voting to leave the EU by 52% to 48%, Scotland voted to remain by 62% – perhaps an indication that the country is set to seek independence once again. The country had already held an independence referendum in September 2014, with 55.3% of voters wanting to stay.
A determination to prosper in the face of uncertainty is evident throughout many of Scotland’s recruitment companies. One observer, an operations director for a provider of temporary and contract staff to the construction industry, described the referendum result as “something of a surprise and not what we hoped for… the construction industry has been suffering from a skill shortage from well before the referendum and this result can only add to this.
“We will work through this uncertainty and react accordingly when new political leaders are in place and when we know what the Brexit decision really means for our industry.”
We like to think that you can count on Bis Henderson Recruitment regardless of what the future may hold. Contact us to find out more about our specialist logistics recruitment expertise that could be instrumental in assisting your own organisation through a potentially uncertain time.
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