Addressing the Skills Shortage: Training vs Outsourcing
With manufacturing and engineering businesses facing a critical skills shortage, securing highly skilled specialists has become more challenging than ever. As companies navigate reduced talent pools, rising demand for technical expertise, and the impact of automation, the question remains: Should businesses invest in long-term training or outsource to specialist contract talent?
At Employment Solutions, we help businesses strategically manage workforce gaps, ensuring they have immediate access to top-tier professionals while also considering long-term talent development. Here’s how companies can address this challenge.
The Growing Skills Shortage
The 2024 report by The Manufacturer and Barclays Corporate Banking paints a concerning picture:
97% of manufacturers say skills shortages are restricting their ability to grow.
75% cite hiring and retention difficulties as their biggest barrier to business expansion.
91% are investing in upskilling, yet many still struggle to find the right talent.
Meanwhile, Advanced Engineering’s #MindTheSkillsGap campaign highlights an urgent need for digitalisation, automation, and sustainability skills, as demand for ‘green’ roles has risen by 55%.
With an ageing workforce, reduced EU talent pools, and challenges in attracting young professionals, the UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors need flexible, future-proof workforce solutions.
Training: Investing in Long-Term Skills Development
Upskilling in-house teams is a proactive approach that offers long-term benefits for both employees and businesses.
Advantages of Training & Development:
Future-proofing the workforce – Ensures employees stay ahead of industry advancements.
Improved talent retention – Investing in employee growth enhances loyalty.
Competitive edge – A highly trained workforce drives innovation and efficiency.
However, training isn’t without challenges:
Time & Cost Intensive – Training requires significant investment and resources.
Impact on Productivity – Employees must step away from core tasks to train.
Keeping Up with Change – Training materials can quickly become outdated in fast-moving industries.
For larger organisations with long-term workforce strategies, training is a valuable investment but not always a fast solution for companies that need specialist skills immediately.
Outsourcing: A Faster Route to Skilled Talent
For businesses needing specialist expertise now, outsourcing contract recruitment offers an immediate, cost-effective solution.
When you partner with Employment Solutions, you gain:
Instant access to skilled professionals – Our pre-vetted contract specialists are ready to hit the ground running.
No training delays – Contractors arrive fully qualified and experienced, eliminating downtime.
Industry expertise & tailored hiring – Our recruitment specialists understand your sector and its unique workforce needs.
Flexible, cost-effective hiring – We manage screening, onboarding, and compliance, saving businesses time and resources.
For smaller businesses, project-based work, or urgent hiring needs, outsourcing ensures that productivity doesn’t suffer while talent gaps are filled.
Training vs Outsourcing: Finding the Right Balance
Both training and outsourcing have their place in workforce planning. While upskilling supports long-term growth, outsourcing ensures businesses can continue operating at full capacity without delays.
For businesses struggling to fill immediate skill gaps, Employment Solutions provides highly skilled contract professionals to drive innovation, maintain efficiency, and support business growth.
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