Smaller companies must be bold in selling themselves to the best recruits

"It doesn’t always come down to pay - it comes down to being valued and being part of a company that shows a commitment to your development."

Small and medium-sized businesses across Coventry and Warwickshire have been urged to promote themselves as great places to work in order to plug their skills gaps.

With 250,000 job-openings forecast in the region before 2030, according to Warwickshire County Council research, smaller firms will face the biggest challenge in finding the skills they need.

This burning issue was discussed when a group of smaller, potentially high-growth companies met at Business Ready’s second Business Growth Network meeting at the University of Warwick Science Park.

Businesses highlighted some of the issues facing them, from the loss of EU employees through to bigger companies mopping up the most skilled people. They then discussed a range of potential solutions, including apprenticeships and internships as well as upskilling current staff to fill more senior roles.

The event heard from speakers including Janette Pallas (University of Warwick Science Park), Peter Butlin (deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council) and Fay Winterburn (business skills adviser at Warwickshire County Council).

Janette Pallas told delegates that smaller companies must be bold in selling their business as a place of work.

“There’s not one solution to the skills problem but, as we heard from the meeting, there is support out there and great people, if you look in the right places," she said. “What has emerged, however, is that small businesses need to be able to show why they are a great place to work to attract people.

"They can’t compete with big, international companies in certain areas but they can show potential recruits the breadth of opportunity they will receive in a smaller company.”

The group discussed what small businesses can offer to make themselves attractive to recruits. These include interesting projects, flexible hours, further training and development and even the provision of exercise classes to aid recruitment.

“It doesn’t always come down to pay, it comes down to being valued and being part of a company that shows a commitment to your development,” added Janette.

“If smaller companies can sell themselves as a great place to work to potential recruits through profile in the media and online, they stand a much better chance of attracting the people they are looking for.”

* Business Ready is delivered by the University of Warwick Science Park and is part of the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme, which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund and Warwickshire County Council.