What are the Talent Acquisition Challenges Facing the UK Life Sciences Sector?

We know an industry is only as good as the people who work within it – and nowhere is this truer than the Life Sciences sector. The sector is booming – and investment is still high – yet the challenges facing recruiters could hold it back. Kelly’s whitepaper Talent in Science, stressed this issue and found that stiff competition – from both inside and outside of the industry; and the need for greater workplace agility are key challenges facing Life Sciences companies today. Plus with Brexit upon us, the sector will need to rethink their recruitment strategies for success.

Competition for Skills

While the pool of available workers may be high, not enough have the necessary skills and experience to fulfil certain roles, and this is particularly relevant to the Life Sciences sector where we are seeing a talent shortage.

The response from the industry is a fairly unique one: recruit across sectors. One of the main challenges that Kelly’s research revealed is the growing need to compete across sectors to acquire the best staff. The skills required in the Life Sciences industry are morphing with other sectors – notably technology – and employers need to find new staff who may currently be working in different sectors but have the skills desired. Relationship building will be vital as well as an understanding of what makes for an attractive job offer and how to lure these new-to-the-industry employees away.

Demand for Agility Grows

Where previously employers have been focused on home-grown talents, they may need to start to attract workers across borders and understand how to do this effectively.

A growing move towards agility was highlighted in the Accenture study Injecting Agility into Medical Technology. The Life Sciences sector already has a high level of agility thanks to its reliance on contingent labour – however, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the sector is set up with the organisational structure needed to support strategic growth. What we do know is that within the Life Sciences industry employees are more willing to relocate than the average. In 2016 five per cent of the working-age population either relocated or commuted across borders for work. Within Life Sciences this figure was significantly higher – 56 per cent had either moved countries or within a country for work.

Understanding what makes people willing to move can help companies secure the best talent available. For 35 per cent it was about securing the first job, while 25 per cent relocation for a promotion within a new organisation. For those who have never relocated, an overwhelming 61 per cent say they would do so for a better work opportunity in another country, while seven and five per cent respectively cite negative changes in the political or economic climate in their own country.

The Brexit effect

We still don’t yet know the impact of Brexit – due to take place this month – will have on the Life Sciences industry but we do know that the UK government is committed to building the industry rather than restricting it. Life Sciences companies will be keeping a close eye on proceedings and considering where they source talent from. The Kelly survey has already identified a high level of mobility within the EU Life Sciences workforce, which is being driven by career aspiration but is also impacted by political and economic uncertainty. Closer to home, 14 per cent of industry professionals in the UK who have never relocated says they could be prompted to move overseas for work if economic conditions changed negatively. The UK has always been an attractive destination for a mobile workforce – alongside Germany, it hosts almost half of all movers in 2016 – an increase of seven per cent year-on-year. Whether Brexit means this trend continues is another thing. But in the race for talent companies must remain competitive regardless of geographical location.

Leave your talent acquisition to the experts – contact Kelly’s Services to find out how we can secure the best workforce for your company regardless of the challenges the industry is facing.

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Navigating Career Crossroads: Your Guide to a Fulfilling Your Next Career Move!

12 Feb, 2024

In the ever-evolving landscape of the professional world, many of us find ourselves at crossroads, contemplating a change in career or seeking new opportunities to ignite our passion.

September Surge – Our Top Tips for Job Seekers

by Shazamme System User • 07 Sept, 2023

Summer is over. September is here. For you lovers of the summer, this can often bring feelings of the blues, but September can represent a time for a fresh start. This time of the year can offer many opportunities for job hunters to find a new job that aligns with their skills, goals, and experience. Check out our top tips on how you can land your dream job this time around (and why you should work with Kelly). 1. Get Clear On Your Goals First and foremost, you must have a clear objective of what you want for your career. Searching for a new job can bring feelings of excitement and motivation but it can also be overwhelming for applicants. Having an idea of what industries, you would like to work in, the timeline in which you would like to find a job, and the companies you’re interested in will reduce those negative feelings but will also give you a sense of direction and focus. 2. Update Your CV The next thing you should look at is improving and updating your CV. Have you demonstrated your most valuable skills? Have you highlighted your most important accomplishments and achievements? Have you included your personal websites, business profiles, and your LinkedIn profile? These are some of the many things to consider when updating your CV. Job applicants should also keep in mind that you should adjust your CV for every job you apply for. You should customize your CV so that it reflects the job you’re applying for. 3. Work with a Recruiter Are you aware of the benefits of working with a recruiter? Recruiters are experts in the hiring industry. They can help save you a significant amount of time during your job search as they know exactly what jobs are available in the market and they can match you with a role that aligns with your experience. Recruitment consultants can help you improve your CV and cover letter as well as make sure you are prepared for interviews. If you would like to read more about the benefits of working with a recruiter, click here . September is an excellent time of the year to find that new opportunity that you have been longing for. By following these tips, you should be on the right course to navigate the job market and find a role that suits you. It’s important to stay positive during your job search as it can sometimes be a lengthy process. But just remember, the right opportunity can take time. If you would like assistance during your job search, please do not hesitate to reach out and email us at info@kellyservices. co.uk. Or click here to search our latest vacancies and apply today!

Change. How to turn your fear into fuel for a rocket move and wake up in a different reality.

28 Aug, 2023

Rephrasing the famous song, “Love is in the air”, let’s talk about change is in the air – and everywhere. We grow. We change. Look at your childhood photos. Watch your kid, your nephew, your niece. The change is there, and it’s incredible. Nature is constantly changing. We wait for summer as the time to enjoy outdoor activities and gardening, for a quick visit to the beach, or simply take time to relax and spend time with family, friends and loved ones. We wait for winter (even if we never see snow falling) to decorate the house for the holidays, pack presents for the people we love and unpack our own. The colour of the leaves changes, the weather shifts, and flowers blossom in their time – the landscape is constantly transforming. The world around us is changing. We travel to other countries and learn new things, cultures and languages. We take on new hobbies. We get new skills. After a couple of minor kitchen accidents (sometimes), we can cook delicious dishes and get compliments from family and friends. We transform our bodies at the gym or simply by creating the habit of walking every day. We meet new people, we sometimes fall in love, we build families, we have kids. And if you step back for a second, you realise you might have met your other half by pure accident. But you took a leap of faith into the unknown. We embrace many types of unknown change, except for the one that can change how we live five days a week – to change jobs. “I am too old/too young to change”, “I’m used to this environment; It’s my comfort zone”, “Well, I don’t get any promotion, and what I do doesn’t change the world, but it’s stable”, “I am afraid to ask for more interesting projects. What if my manager fires me?”. We often don’t want to change because that step requires a vision, courage, external support, and a leap of faith into the unknown. Scary? Yes. But also promising. A step into the unknown? Yes. But it can open a new door. Do your inner values marry what you do? Yes, it is essential. There is nothing terrible about staying in your comfort zone. At some stage of your career, staying put can be an excellent decision. But if you feel that you need a change – talk to Kelly. We don’t mind going the extra mile and support your wish to embrace the change. The one which will give meaning to what you do, feel proud, motivated and fulfilled. Ready for changing? We’ll make sure your talent can truly shine.