Down from the summit - Tom Hadley’s take-aways from the latest BFI recruitment rendez-vous

Has there ever been a more timely gathering than the latest BFI Recruitment Summit?

With the suffocating squeeze on staffing and skills all over the news bulletins and at the top of the risk register for most employers, this was a great time of convene leading experts and gather round to share views on potential solutions to workforce woes.

In addition to taking stock of latest hiring innovations, the BFI event was an opportunity to review the latest political vibes around skills, wages and immigration policy.

Here is brief snapshot of some of the big messages echoing down from the summit:

1. All eyes are on hiring issues - In the words of REC’s Deputy CEO Kate Shoesmith “for the first time ever, jobs and workforce issues are as newsworthy as things like an ABBA reunion. We’re literally sharing the front page”. This is absolutely true, I checked out the front page in question. This topicality factor was also flagged by Jas Rai, Head of People at the British Library with an inspirational rallying call to all HR and recruitment professionals: “Let’s seize this opportunity to show what we’re about and how we make workplaces tick”.

2. Business models are being impacted: REC data shows employer confidence on the rise; the only thing holding it back is concerns over labour and skills shortages. Employers are having to take radical steps – for instance, restricting opening hours or extending delivery windows. Businesses are also having to make trade-offs and innovate. Here’s a great example flagged one of the panel sessions: “If there are no cleaners for hotels, just don’t clean the rooms - offer free drinks in the bar instead!”.

3. The ‘recruitment revolution’ is gaining momentum – Having to change business models is the extreme outcome. But employers across different sectors are also taking the initiative to innovate in the way they hire and retain staff. Specific focus areas for employers flagged during the Summit include reviewing job descriptions and job design, reframing selection criteria, re-energising (and reality-checking) employers brand, revamping the onboarding process, embedding a proactive approach to D&I (including working with local charities and colleges) and working in partnership with external recruitment and immigration experts.

4. Employers are up for the challenge: Despite the intensifying workforce challenges, the general vibe was resolutely upbeat, with 70% of participants ‘quietly confident’ with regards to the outlook for staffing and skills. This may be down to recruitment and HR professionals generally being optimists by nature. Either that or we’re all still a little tipsy on ‘cheap foreign Labour’.

5. A strong collective voice is more important than ever: Discussions flagged the extent of staffing challenges in sectors like hospitality as well as impact of shortages in supply chain (eg food not being delivered impacting on restaurant menus). Representative bodies like UK Hospitality are doing a great job as voice for the sector. Across the wider business community, a strong collective voice will be crucial to influencing public debates around immigration, education and skills (including a re-working of the current apprenticeship levy).

An additional message is that access to robust, localised jobs market data and regular peer-to-peer exchanges will play a pivotal role in helping employers re-imagine their hiring strategies and refine workforce plans. A core aim of the Recruitment Summit was to facilitate this kind of exchange. Lots to build on at future BFI events and training programmes; we’ll be going head-to-head with Abba’s world tour…

Tom Hadley is the former Director of Campaigns at REC and is now an independent consultant on campaigns and workforce issues, working with the International Labour Organization (ILO) and employers across the globe. Tom was the chair of the BFI Post-Brexit, Post-Covid Recruitment for Employers Summit 2021.

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