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Motivation and attitude can matter as much as qualifications

11 January 2008

When recruiting for specific skills, qualifications matter, especially where higher level qualifications (Level 4) indicate ability. But motivation and attitude top the list of priorities for nearly half our large national employers where qualifications required are Level 2 or below. And whereas higher level qualifications indicate particular skills and abilities, generic skills such as communication and teamwork tend not to be picked up this way.

A new report, researched by IES and IFF Research on behalf of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), presents the results of a survey of 201 large national employers – including 60 member companies of the National Employer Service (NES) – and follow-up case study research, into attitudes on recruitment and training.

Qualifications are a good indicator of skills and of some commitment to learning, but employers need more, and training produces more than just qualifications. The outcomes of training include improved productivity, employee engagement and morale. Training and development are also important for employee retention and internal recruitment – an important additional factor when ready-skilled recruits are scarce.

So what is the best source of training – public-sector funded, or in-house? Employers in this study felt that training for nationally recognised qualifications was best supplied externally, but that accredited in-house training was better for a mix of reasons, and that the balance of responsibilities for developing the UK workforce should be shared between business and government. The prevailing view was that government should have responsibility for ensuring a basic level of literacy and numeracy, and qualifications up to Level 2, leaving employers to focus on the rest. This did not necessarily mean developing people in terms of achieving qualifications, but developing them in terms of the skills needed to progress in work.

A summary and the complete report can be accessed from the link below.

Further information

For further press information about this study and similar work within IES, please contact Peter Bates (author) on 01273 873607 or Andy Davidson (IES Press Office) on 01273 686751.

Recruitment and Training Among Large National Employers, Bates P, Johnson C, Gifford J. LSC Report, 2008

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