Businesses focus on engaging diverse talent, survey reveals

Employers are taking active steps to improve candidate and staff engagement with individuals from specific groups in an effort to overcome ongoing skills shortages. That is according to a survey of 1,500 UK-based hiring managers by international talent acquisition and managed workforce solutions provider, Guidant Global.

When quizzed on which demographics they are prioritising, 18% of respondents said they are focusing on emerging talent to boost future pipelines while 17% said they are directing resources into engaging female talent. A further 13% of hiring managers indicated that they are taking steps to tap into disabled talent pools while both BAME individuals and those returning from a career break were top targets for 12% of those surveyed.

Other groups which hiring managers are actively seeking to engage include: individuals with a criminal record; those from lower socioeconomic groups; LGBT talent; and older workers, which were targeted by 8%, 7%, 6% and 4% of employers respectively.

The news comes as 78% of all respondents admit they are currently finding it difficult to access the quality and volume of talent their businesses need to thrive, with 16% of hiring managers viewing tapping into underutilised talent pools as their ‘greatest opportunity’ from a talent management perspective.

Commenting on the findings, Simon Blockley, Managing Director, EMEA, at Guidant Global, said: “With almost four in five hiring managers indicating that they struggle to source the skills they need to thrive, it is unsurprising that organisations are increasingly exploring wider and deeper talent pools. However, in order to effectively engage specific demographics, organisations must implement communications strategies which resonate with their intended audiences. The employers that we work with are enjoying success in this area through revaluating not only the messages that they are sharing, but also the mediums through which they are communicated. It is now universally recognised that diversity of thought breeds innovation, and by tailoring employer of choice messages to specific groups, forward-thinking organisations are unlocking the potential of diverse talent.”

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Notes to editors:

Information about Guidant Global
Guidant Global is a new dynamic in workforce solutions. It was recently formed from two companies coming together: Bartech, headquartered in the US, and Guidant Group in London. They are both part of Impellam, the leading provider of managed services and specialist staffing expertise based in the UK, North America, Australasia, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and mainland Europe. By uniting Bartech and Guidant Group we have unprecedented insight into the world at work. We assist our clients in sourcing, assessing and implementing complex talent solutions which engage contingent workers, consultants and freelancers for more information please visit: www.guidantglobal.com.

Information about Impellam Group

Impellam is the 2nd largest staffing business in the UK and 6th largest MSP provider worldwide. We provide managed service provision and specialist staffing solutions across the UK, North America and Asia Pacific. We have over 3,200 Impellam people throughout our network of 18 market-leading brands across 163 worldwide locations. Ultimately, Impellam Group’s mission is to provide fulfillment and a sense of purpose to its people, and to help customers build better businesses in a changing world. For more information about Impellam Group please visit: www.impellam.com

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