Hays and LCCI Reveal the Private Sector Needs Government Support

LONDON, May 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Hays, the leading recruiting expert, and The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) have partnered to produce a report called "The Challenges of transition: from public to private".

As the government's cost cutting measures continue to impact on workers, more needs to be done to support workers through the transition to the private sector, according to the new report.

Around 330,000 people are expected to lose their public sector jobs over the next four years. While both sectors have many similarities, the perceptions the sectors have about each other could limit the ability of ex-public sector employees to quickly return to the labour market thereby risking longer term joblessness.

Through this report, which surveyed the views of public sector employees and private sector employers, the LCCI and Hays have identified six critical steps to ensure the successful transition of the workforce from the public to the private sector: encourage better understanding; incentivise the private sector; identify regional skills gaps; review onboarding procedures; enhance existing support programmes; and promote self-reliance and resourcefulness.

Mark Staniland, director at Hays said: "As the government cuts begin to take effect there is a growing pressure on the private sector to create new jobs. There is no doubt that public sector employees have many skills in need right across the private sector. However, it is unreasonable to believe that transferring a large proportion of the workforce will not need specialist help to progress smoothly. The government must act now and put provisions in place to support the workers and both sectors need to work together to make sure the skills available are used to their full advantage."

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the LCCI added: "We hope this report will make a meaningful contribution to this important debate, which in turn will help get people in to new jobs while giving a shot in the arm to the London and UK economies. In the months to come there will be many talented individuals from the public sector coming on to the job market which is a great opportunity for employers looking to bring in new skills and ideas to their business."

Notes to editors:

The LCCI and Hays each undertook quantitative and qualitative research in the public and private sectors. The quantitative results represent the views (canvassed online) of 1,435 public-sector employees and 348 private sector employers, the majority of which are based in London and the South East.

About Hays:

Hays plc is the leading global specialist recruitment group. It is market leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental Europe. As at 31 December 2010, the Group employed 7,086 staff operating from 257 offices in 30 countries across 17 specialisms. These specialisms cover a range of opportunities including labouring jobs, marketing jobs, quantity surveying jobs, PA jobs, health and safety jobs and facilities management jobs.

About London Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital's largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.

For further press information please contact:
Claire Fowler
Hays
2nd Floor
Stockley House
130 Wilton Road
London
SW1V 1LQ
020 7259 8821
www.hays.co.uk  

SOURCE Hays