Fears over lack of skilled labour | Herald Scotland: "A TALENT mismatch is hampering economic recovery because of a shortage of skilled labour to fill posts in key infrastructure projects, a leading employment agency has claimed.
Hays claims that for some engineering, construction and IT projects, it is having to look to Ireland and other European countries for applicants to fill jobs.
The new Queensferry Crossing, Edinburgh Trams and offshore and onshore renewables projects are said to be generating significant employment in engineering and IT, but it is claimed Scotland and the rest of the UK is suffering among the worst skills gaps in Europe.
The Hays Global Skill Index 2013 claims that, despite the economy coming out of recovery and job opportunities being created, there are still areas where skills are unavailable.
However, the Scottish Government claimed last night "impressive progress" was being made in the area and said youth employment levels were eighth out of 28 EU countries.
The company's report, The Great Skills Mismatch, claims the only countries in Europe facing a greater talent mismatch than the UK are economies badly affected by the eurozone crisis such as Spain, Portugal and Ireland."
