09 July 2009

New Vodafone UK Working Nation research reveals women are twice as likely to say they have learnt many new skills through the recession. The latest Vodafone Working Nation report, launched today (9 July 2009), identifies details of the skills gap in UK companies brought on by headcount losses and shrinking training budgets while also revealing that women feel they are doing more than their male counterparts to fill the breach.

While 12% of all those surveyed say they have had to learn some new skills to cover for departed colleagues, female workers are twice as likely as their male colleagues to say they have had to cover gaps by learning ‘many’ new skills (one in ten compared to one in twenty men).

• One in five UK managers say they have a skills gap as a result of recession
• Women are twice as likely as their male colleagues to say they have had to cover the gap by learning many new skills
• A third of workers say that having to learn new skills has increased their stress levels at work
• Blending traditional skills with emerging ‘soft skills’ such as innovation and leadership, is seen by experts as the way to succeed

The skills gap is also taking its toll on younger workers. While a third of workers overall say that having to learn new skills has increased their stress levels at work, the figure peaks at 36% among 16-24 year olds enduring their first significant slowdown, compared to 29% of those aged 55 and over.

Overall, 80% of workers who have had to learn new skills say they have not had sufficient training. Again it is the younger workers that feel the most vulnerable; 50% of 16-24 year olds say that they have had no new training at all to help them learn new skills, compared to 20% of 25-34 year olds and 25% of those between 35 and 44.

New skills include softer skills for coping in tough economic times, where growth is limited but a workforce needs to be motivated. Gary Browning of Penna Plc says: “Leaders need a new set of skills. The tough single minded focus of previous years needs to be balanced with humility, respect and an ability to be visionary in adversity. It’s a tough call for any leader but these softer skills need to be learned by many.”

Peter Kelly, Enterprise Director, Vodafone UK commented: “Organisations of all sizes in all sectors are either considering or have already had to make difficult decisions regarding their people. It’s important to investigate how reorganisations of workforces are impacting the skills base; what makes the difference between surviving and succeeding; and what advice can be given in managing costs without destroying old and new skills. This Working Nation report offers valuable insights into these areas.”

The report also uncovers the human impact that the current skills deficit is having on the workforce as well as the views of managers trying to defend their skills base in the face of recession. 37% of employers say that they have had to make headcount reductions in the past 12 months. And while 34% of businesses say they are continuing to invest in skills unabated, the majority (66%) are either reducing or stopping investment in skills development & training.

As a result, one in five businesses say they now have a gap between the skills they have in the workforce and the skills they need to survive and succeed. Despite this awareness there is a danger that some businesses are not taking action to resolve the issue because they feel that their competition is in the same situation as them - 58% of businesses say they do not feel at any real disadvantage (or advantage) compared to the market or the competition for when the economy recovers.

About Working Nation

Vodafone Working Nation is a major ongoing study created by Vodafone UK to chronicle the attitudes and trends that shape the United Kingdom at work. The series is used by Vodafone UK to examine its own working practices, help develop new products and services and to create a better understanding of the modern management and workplace issues impacting its customers day-to-day and in the future. The eighth Vodafone Working Nation ‘Skills of Work‘ report and all previous reports are available from www.workingnation.co.uk.

Research for The Skills of Work, the eighth Vodafone Working Nation report, was carried out via a survey of 1700 individuals currently at work in the UK. The first component of the research focused on 700 employers (senior management, directors and business owners) while the second component focused on 1000 employees (non-management) to deliver a 360 degree view of the working nation.

The results of the research are presented in the report alongside essays from independent contributors providing constructive advice for companies seeking a way forward.

• Tony Manwaring, chief executive of not-for-profit agenda-setting organisation Tomorrow’s Company, talks about the need for organisations to reassess how they balance their requirements for ‘talent’ and ‘skills’ in a changing landscape.
• Gary Browning, Chief Executive of Penna Plc, a global HR Consulting Group, argues that UK businesses need to start thinking of skills more in terms of quality over quantity.
• David Fox, chairman and chief executive of Midlands based manufacturer Power Panels Electrical Systems, relates how investment in skills has helped his business to beat the recession and triple its profits.