Workforce readiness gap found in UK businesses, study shows

New research from Cornerstone has uncovered a significant workforce readiness gap affecting UK businesses at every level. According to the findings, 63% of executives in the UK believe their workforce is unprepared for change, while 45% of employees report lacking the necessary support and resources to adapt to evolving conditions.

The study highlights a stark contrast between employers' perspectives on training and employees' experiences. Although 77% of UK employers think their workforce receives adequate training and development, only 40% of employees feel the same. This reflects a 37% confidence gap, indicating a potential disconnect in the perceived effectiveness of training programmes.

Employee turnover intentions are also a notable concern. Nearly half (47%) of the workforce is either planning to switch jobs in the next three to six months or uncertain about staying with their current employer. This raises questions about job satisfaction and the ability of organisations to retain talent amid the rapid pace of change.

Productivity is another critical issue, with 63% of UK employees feeling that their productivity is at full capacity. Compounding this issue, 61% of employees report that their work environment is moving faster than ever, and the same percentage attribute this acceleration to the impact of artificial intelligence.

Furthermore, key findings reveal that 51% of employees do not believe their employer effectively tracks skills within the organisation. This lack of visibility and strategic management of workforce capabilities suggests that companies may be missing opportunities to align employee skills with organisational needs.

The report underscores the value of effective training and skills alignment. UK employees who find their skills aligned with their company’s needs are 2.5 times more motivated to contribute positively to their work. Moreover, employees with adequate training resources are twice as likely to be capable of adapting to changes in the workplace.

Promoting a culture of skills development proves beneficial for employee satisfaction and retention. Employees in organisations that actively encourage skills development are three times happier and have no plans to leave their jobs. This points to the critical role of ongoing learning and development in creating a resilient and motivated workforce.

The new research from Cornerstone indicates that while rapid changes in job markets and the emergence of new technologies such as AI can drive significant value, they also lead to disruption and uncertainty. These challenges underscore the importance of bridging the workforce readiness gap by providing targeted training, tracking skills effectively, and fostering a culture of continuous development.