Agenda item

Outcome 1 - Recruitment and Retention SLWG Update (Anthony Standing and Morag Goodfellow)

Paper to follow.

Minutes:

Anthony provided a detailed presentation which highlighted the complex issues being looked at by the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) across this cross cutting theme on investment in recruitment, population size and retention of staff. The SLWG contains representatives from HiE, SDS, Argyll and Bute Council, NHS Highland and Police Scotland. The group have looked at what is currently being done on this at a National, Highlands and Islands and Argyll and Bute area level to identify priority gaps and challenges. Multiple factors affect this including demographic trends, Brexit, unprecedented change to labour market from AI and automation etc. transition to net zero, nature of available work and Covid. There are labour market shortages in Hospitality and Tourism, food and drink, road haulage, construction and “Other” (Health social care digital economy).

 

An aging workforce is a national challenge as the working age population (16 - 64) is only due to from 5.4m in 2016 to 5.7m in 2041. However, the dependency ratio (those relying on those in work) will increase from a ratio of 1:0.55 up to 1:0.7 in the same period. Additionally, Argyll and Bute has one of the highest levels of expected increase in dependency ratio in Scotland. Anthony also noted that only 33% of Scotland’s EU migrant population have applied for settled status.

 

In Argyll and Bute from 2021 - 2024 there is expected be approx. 3900 job opportunities and 44% of those require higher/degree level qualifications. Anthony can provide further details with details for the job openings, recruitment and replacement by sector area. Unemployment in Argyll and Bute has risen from March 2020 to May 2021 from 3.4% to 5.9%. There is existing support and funding to youth unemployed (age 16 - 24) who make up 19% of the unemployed in the area, however that means 81% of those currently looking for work are aged 25 - 65 and this is where support should be focused.

 

Argyll and Bute has been identified as a key area for support on population (1 of 4 areas) by the COHI Population Working Group. The 5 key issues being looked at will be housing, jobs, critical infrastructure, access to services and talent attraction. Although we are already actively aware of those issues, and are working towards them, we need to do more. Within Argyll and Bute the key focus areas are Coll and Tiree, Kintyre, Bute and the Rosneath Peninsula.

 

The SLWG will keep partners aware of what is happening regionally and nationally, but we also need to look at what we can do locally and maintain an ongoing narrative on this cross cutting theme at the CPP MC. The SLWG will do a refreshed look at the barriers, explore 25+ interventions (working with the DWP), understand best practices in our areas where things are working, look for funding for more resettlement officers, look to support a return to the labour market (women), graduate placement programmes and how can the public sector combine to corral vacancies and share best practice on recruitment. This is a massive issue and they will try to start progress on local measures via the employability partnership.

 

Fergus asked why we have a lot of vacancies, and lots of potential job heavy projects, but no applicants. Are there skills gaps or do we have evidence on the barriers to people not taking up jobs here (wages, job security, reputation, housing or not the right skills)? He noted this was an issue across the public sector and pay in rural areas is falling behind in relation to inflation. Takki agreed that was a good point and added that in the TSI's response to the National Care Service Consultation they called for a rural funding premium so they could offer an R&R package for key workers plus access to housing subsidies. Fergus added his experience of going around businesses is that they have a third of the staff they need and facing issues retaining staff over quiet periods and lost revenue. There is good work underway but this is a critical needs urgent focus, or there will be bigger implications down the line.

 

Morag said the Council’s Settlement post will provide a point of focus for those considering moving in to the region and that officer will need to build data around the wider housing need and provide details for families looking to relocate on education, child care etc. She is keen to see how we can build on that type of practical support to get people into jobs on the ground.

 

Rona felt the idea to co-ordinate around regret letters (allowing contact with unsuccessful applicants to identify upskilling needs) was a brilliant idea that could provide quick wins working with Argyll College to support training provision. Anthony said it will be a large piece of work get that happening (contact employers, keeping database etc.). He asked if settlement officers can work with the local employability partnership on this, and we could use some secondments to do specific bits of work such as identifying applicants for other positions. Morag suggested that the regret letters processes could be actioned simply by encouraging individuals to pro-actively signing up to a co-ordinated mailing list.

 

David asked about how we can keep our young people here. There are many young people in well paid jobs (distilleries etc.) but they are still living with parents as they are unable to get housing. We then lose those people to other parts of the country. David felt housing availability is key, and we need to keep housing availability in the market for those that are in local employment. Fiona agreed that the housing is key, but also stressed the need in those relocating to understand the broad aspects of education provision - not just information on schools, but also how the entire education system works in Scotland. Fergus W said the vast majority of people moving into Argyll and Bute are from the central belt, but we do need to understand that more so can we reach out to a wider field. He also that housing is complicated. The changes to regulations that allow more security for tenants has made many providing rental accommodation out of the market over fear of being unable to evict problem tenants. Across Argyll and Bute there are housing shortages, gluts and non-suitable housing - this is not a simple solution, but there is more housing being built on the islands. The settlement officer is a SLGE 9, but we also need to look at what other partners/agencies can bring to the table. Morag added that a consultation on private rent legislation is coming out from Scottish Government within the next month and it might be worth partners considering a consultation response if this is impacting on our ability to recruit and retain.