The CIPD and KPMG Labour Market Outlook survey found around one in five employers recruited migrant workers in the past three months, with public sector employers more likely to hire migrant workers than private sector ones.

Of the 700 companies surveyed around 40 per cent say they have vacancies that are hard-to-fill and more than half of those vacancies are skills-related with engineer, doctor and nurse positions the most difficult to recruit for.

In seems ironic that despite rising unemployment, employers are still struggling to recruit the people they need and are turning abroad to plug the gap.

So what is the solution?

It is important that companies keep investing in learning and development programmes and resist the urge to cut back too aggressively to save costs.  It is also up to each individual to proactively pursue personal development programmes.

During the recession, many funded training programmes have been introduced that give employees opportunities to re-train in new directions.  The R2R scheme in the East of England offers £1200 to anyone living or working in the region who is at risk of redundancy.

To access support to help ease the burden of redundancies, contact Katherine Wiid Director of Recrion who is actively facilitating the R2R scheme on 01780 484910 or visit www.recrion.co.uk

Skills shortages arise from a number of different factors.  By letting skilled workers go as well as new trainees, a void of skills is created.  On top of this, 33% of companies are cutting back on individual training and 69% on recruitment according to People Management.

The onus is now on the employee to invest in themselves and find alternatives to corporate life.  When the upturn comes, they might be the budding entrepreneurs they never would have been if the recession hadn't happened.

Find out how you can evolve your career by attending a half day workshop. Job security has been outsourced to you.  Call Katherine on 01780 484910 for more information.

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Recrion is facilitating a government scheme to help employers and employees affected by redundancy.   See if you are eligible for FREE career's advice and training