Understanding the needs of employers

Having accurate and up-to-date knowledge of the labour market is important for two key reasons:

• To respond effectively to the needs of employers in terms of developing support and training that will help to provide them with the right candidates from priority client groups; and
• To enable employability support services to be better tailored to different client groups and in particular areas or geographies. 
   

  The following sources of information will help you understand what employers look for in potential recruits:

  • Glasgow Employer Coalition Literature Review of Employers' Attitudes Towards Employability Groups
  • DWP What Employers Look For When Recruiting the Unemployed and Inactive

A range of agencies also engage with employers and they will be able to provide insights into employers’ requirements.

• Jobcentre Plus
• Scottish Chambers of Commerce
• British Chambers of Commerce
• Scottish Business in the Community
• Alliance of Sector Skills Councils
• Futureskills Scotland
   

Finding out where the jobs are

Collating and analysing existing vacancy information for your area (and the surrounding travel to work areas) will help you to understand where and what type of job opportunities are available, and to identify any practical issues this raises that requires action by the partners.

 There are a number of ways in which you can find out where the jobs are:

•  www.ons.gov.uk
• www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
• www.futureskillsscotland.org.uk