Boosting Employment in the North East Through Key Employer Actions
Date published:
Sam Spoors, Founder & MD at Talentheads, reflects on the North East’s employment stats following the general elections.
If you haven’t noticed, there’s been an election.
And after July 4, employers in the North East are assessing the local employment landscape.
Unfortunately, our region, the North East is lagging behind the rest of the UK.
The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data shows that, on average, the North East is less economically active, has fewer working-aged adults in employment, and has a higher unemployment rate than Britain as a whole.
- Official statistics under review published by the ONS suggest between January and March 2024, the unemployment rate in the UK for ages 16+ was 4.3%. In the North East this was higher at 4.4%.
- The UK’s employment rate for ages 16-64 was 74.5%. In the North East this was lower, at 69.1%.
- The UK’s economic inactivity rate for ages 16-64 was 22.1%. In the North East this was higher, at 27.6%.
There are plenty of reasons for this.
Sadly, additional ONS data has shown that the North East has the highest rates of deprivation in England, a stat that goes hand-in-hand with ill health.
That’s a major factor behind those stats – in fact, a fifth of working-aged adults aren’t seeking employment because of it.
But there are also social and political factors. For example, our region has a rich manufacturing history, yet there simply are not enough apprenticeships for those aged 16-25. That makes getting on the career ladder that bit harder for many early school leavers.
However, the political uncertainty of recent years must also be factored in. Many business leaders want to survey the post-election landscape before committing to growing their firm. As such, some have held off from recruiting in 2024.
Yet through my work at Talentheads, I’m aware that in most industries sectors, the job market is buoyant.
There are jobs out there. Businesses are recruiting – and there is a willing workforce in our region that is desperate to find the right job.
So what matters is how you go about attracting and retaining them.
At Talentheads, we embrace a completely unique approach to the entire process. We recruit to retain – not to fill a job advert – and source top-tier candidates who have standout CVs but who also fit in with your company culture.
Once they are through the door, we take care of learning and development – upskilling your staff by effectively acting as your in-house team – so that the staff we source sticks around, saving you from needing to recruit further down the line.
So as we all watch the dust settle following the election, as employers, we must remain on our toes.
But there are definitely steps businesses can take within recruitment as we wait.
- Strengthen your brand by offering support, flexibility and growth opportunities to attract the best talent.
- Hold onto your company culture to attract staff that will stick with you.
- Grow your existing team by developing, training and upskilling them.
- Look after your current staff. Occupational health should be a priority for any business, as not only does it make the workplace safer, but lowers staff absence – while it acts as a great magnet in attracting the best staff.
The hope is that, whatever now follows, our region’s picture will improve. But regardless, there is plenty you – as a business owner – can do to improve your own situation.