Businesses have begun setting out ‘skills roadmaps’ as they plan for demographic changes and belatedly recognise the importance of strategic workforce planning. A major new report by the Confederation of British Industry says the recession has been a ‘catalyst’ for reform, and lists the workforce as one of the four key areas for radical change, alongside ethics; partnership with suppliers and new financing arrangements.
‘Businesses will become much more proactive in their approach to talent management, placing greater focus on skill development and increasing returns on investment in training,’ says the report, The Shape of Business – the Next Ten Years, published 20 November. ‘Businesses will put additional effort into understanding their future skill needs and many will develop detailed skill roadmaps.’
One case study featured is that of ADS Group, the aerospace industry body. With 60 per cent of its workforce due to retire over the next 20 years, there is a huge challenge. It is building a roadmap to identify the skills required to match the new technologies emerging, and using this to underpin its recruitment and development strategy.
The CBI report also anticipates that employers will collaborate more closely with schools, universities and colleges to develop courses more closely related to their needs. There is also likely to be a greater focus on understanding returns from training investment, and cutbacks on activity that is not seen to be adding value.
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The report’s authors are Tim Bradshaw, Jo Hensher and Ian McCafferty.