Confidence rising but concerns remain
Skills shortages a worry to one in three SMEs
One in three Scottish small businesses are concerned about a shortage of skills, according to the latest FSB Small Business Index.
The report also reveals that while Scottish confidence is lower than the UK average, a growing balance of Scottish FSB members believe that business conditions are set to improve.
Falling fuel prices have eased cost pressures on small firms and small businesses report increased revenues and profits – with an increasing proportion of firms highlighting growth in wages.
Investment intentions are also firming up, with a net balance of 23% of firms expecting to increase capital investment over the next year, up from 15% in the previous quarter.
Andy Willox, the FSB’s Scottish policy convenor, said: “Scottish small business confidence is picking up but remains behind the level recorded a year ago. And, while the long term trend looks good, decision-makers need to reinforce their links with local small enterprise if they really want to understand how their community, local economy and the country, ticks.”
The FSB in Scotland is supporting new initiatives across Scotland to develop better relationships between education and enterprise – a key recommendation of Sir Ian Wood’s Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce.
Mr Willox said: “It is alarming that one in three Scottish small firms report that a shortage of skills could be a potential barrier to growth when there are still 163,000 Scots unemployed.
“New forums, designed to develop better links between industry and education, are a welcome initiative but they can’t be the end of the story. Extra effort must be applied to tap the potential of the smallest businesses.
“Small firms especially value soft skills: we’re often looking for people with the right attitude, not just the right certificates. We need people who can manage their own time and work comfortably with customers and colleagues. Educators alone can’t solve this problem – the business community has a big role getting young people ready for the world of work.”
The small business lobby group also highlights Scottish Government research showing that three quarters of Scottish businesses believe digital growth is critical to their business, but only 2 in 5 believe they have the requisite digital business skills.
Mr Willox added: “Though not specifically tracked in the index, the digital skills needs of business are changing rapidly. Employers, employees and educational establishments will need to work together to ensure that all sorts of firms can capitalise on the digital revolution. And that means ensuring that the right help is available for those who are currently in work and looking to upgrade their skills.”
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UK employers are looking at skills markets only through the prism of UK based workers. In high end skills (defined as in short supply) this represents just 12% of the workers that are available without employers needing to obtain work visas.
Labour mobility which is a fundamental necessity to enable divers economies across the EU to operate effectively is woefully low. Research has shown that many thousands of workers would relocate to another country for the right job.
There remains a huge workforce of available skills that are “untapped”. There are more than enough construction workers, health care workers, engineers and technicians to fill the available jobs in the UK.
There is no skills shortage