Concept MD comments on unemployment figures

Matt Southall, Concept Staffing's Managing Director comments on unemployment figures:

THE past few weeks have been interesting in business to say the least – with record unemployment figures announced and the slashing of the economic growth figure by the Bank of England, it was not the most encouraging of weeks.

However, against this backdrop, the week also showed Concept, and other companies within the Acorn Group, there was plenty of targeted development activity here, all focused on revitalising the confidence of both businesses, and the labour market.

Just a few weeks ago, Concept's parent company, Acorn, received a visit from the Wales Business Minister Edwina Hart.

Meeting the minister and sitting down with her to talk through a range of business issues was something my board and I had been looking forward to.
This was not a visit to launch some major new initiative, nor to announce a new addition to our company. Instead, it was an informal, non publicity-driven opportunity to sit down together, roll our sleeves up and talk ‘turkey’ with the person with responsibility for facilitating business growth and shaping the conditions to help drive the Welsh economy forward. We found the minister very well-informed and engaging; forthright in her views, but more than prepared to listen to what we had to say.

We certainly had the sense that all her current thinking is based on what business leaders and employers of all sizes across Wales are feeling at this crucial moment in time, and that can only be encouraging. Among the many areas we touched upon was the very real issue of skills shortages, which employers are experiencing even in the current climate of high unemployment.

In particular, we looked at skill shortages affecting IT-related positions and the high-tech employers.  Throughout the UK, there is currently a shortage of available candidates for many IT-related roles with the necessary skill levels and knowledge of the most up-to-date software and systems that would make them invaluable to potential employers.

As a major player in the UK recruitment industry, and with a well-established IT recruitment team, we have been observing this first hand over the last couple of years, in what continues to be a fast-growing sector with a healthy demand for staff.

We also took the opportunity to discuss with Ms Hart the exciting potential for business development between Wales and London.
As one of the companies behind the formation of the London- Welsh Business Club – an active networking organisation designed to promote and foster business links between the two regions – we were encouraged to hear of moves by the Welsh Government to consider a new office in London.

All in all, it was a hugely worthwhile meeting with the minister, and we hope she left us with plenty of food for thought.