News story

Business facing pressure from increasing skills gaps

LondonLearning News

Interview with Lynsey Whitmarsh from Hemsley Fraser and Duncan Barrett from 5App following their report into re-skilling and it finding that over half of businesses in the UK are under severe pressure due to widening skills gaps.

Lynsey Whitmarsh, Hemsley Fraser and Duncan Barrett, 5App in discussion with Learning News
Lynsey Whitmarsh, Hemsley Fraser and Duncan Barrett, 5App in discussion with Learning News 

Over half of businesses are facing severe pressure due to increasing skills gaps and the mix of working from home and in the office is expected to further expose management and leadership skills, according to a new report. 

A survey from Hemsley Fraser and 5App has found that organisations are prioritising internal development and learning over recruitment in the battle to shorten skills gaps. And it found that soft skills, particularly management and leadership skills, have been exposed during the crisis over the last year and that this has become a priority now for many.

The report also highlights concerns around how organisations build and sustain an agile learning culture, so that businesses can respond better when crises arrive.

Learning News spoke to the report’s authors, Lynsey Whitmarsh, Managing Director of Hemsley Fraser and Duncan Barrett, Head of Product at 5App, to delve into the report’s findings.

Headline findings and full report: L&D Impact Survey 2021.

Check out all the latest features and interviews on Learning News.