WHY UK BUSINESSES LACK CONFIDENCE TO INTEGRATE AI & GREEN TECH | John D’Arcy

Podcast Radio Business Interviews

John D’Arcy, Director, The Open University in Ireland & Northern Irelandspeaks to Clayton M. Coke of Podcast Radio Business to discuss WHY BUSINESSES LACK CONFIDENCE TO INTEGRATE AI & GREEN TECH BECAUSE OF UK SKILLS SHORTAGE.

More than three in five (62%) organisations in the UK continue to struggle with skills gaps, resulting in 64% lacking the confidence to integrate either AI or green technologies – crucial to growth and sustainability for businesses and the wider economy.

That’s according to data from the latest Business Barometer by The Open University and the British Chambers of Commerce, which reveals skills shortages remain a major issue across sectors and regions in all four nations.

Despite this, less than one in five (19%) organisations have implemented a written skills plan for their workforce, hindering the ability to strategically address these issues and prepare for future demands.

More than two-thirds (68%) of employers say shortages have increased the workload of their employees – impacting morale and wellbeing – a clear indicator that they need a strategic, inclusive skills plan to develop talent to fill key gaps.

Organisations recognise this, with 39% intending to use mentoring or coaching and 35% intending to use short courses within the next twelve months, helping to develop skills as well as fostering a supportive learning environment to enhance employee attraction, engagement and retention.

Meanwhile, encouragingly, 86% that currently use apprenticeship programmes are expecting to increase or commit to the same number of learners over the next 12 months, highlighting the value placed on apprenticeships as a means of cultivating new talent and addressing specific skill needs.

But, while there is a commitment to address the skills shortage from some organisations, the report reveals the majority (63%) still do not have specific initiatives in place for underrepresented groups e.g. young people or those with disabilities, therefore missing out by not widening talent pools to plug their shortages.