Software company SAP is facing recruitment problems as the
skills shortage starts to spread to emerging markets.
SAP's problems reflect a wider IT "talent crunch" that is
impacting employers across all sectors, the company says.
The company says it faces problems finding staff with
"
soft skills" at all levels, warning that it will become more
difficult to recruit staff over the next three to five years.
A survey of 587 IT executives by the
Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by SAP, showed
two-thirds expected it to become tougher to retain and recruit
staff in the coming years.
Theresa Ellison, HR director at SAP UK, said soft skills, such
as communication and the ability to manage change, were the biggest
issue for employers. "The survey showed other companies are feeling
the same pain as SAP," she said.
"It is going to get harder because there are less people coming
through from universities.
"Getting soft skills in everyone from graduates through to
senior people can be challenging. We are a very modern organisation
and soft skills are absolutely key. We need to be more creative in
recruiting."
SAP said of the problem, "Ageing populations and declining birth
rates in much of the developed world are beginning to cause a
talent crunch."
It warned that emerging markets in Asia and Latin America are
increasing pressure on UK companies even more, with companies there
looking for staff in developed markets.
The company suggests a range of ways to combat talent shortages.
Making sure the IT department takes the lead in recruitment,
supported by human resources, is important. Ellison said SAP is
working with local universities to recruit graduates.
She said, "We are engaging with PhD students during their
education. It means we pick up on some really good, innovative
projects very early on."
The survey said, "Firms will need to recruit not only from other
countries but also from other industries, for example, and they
will also need to work more proactively with universities as well
as other businesses to develop training programmes and help expand
the available pool of skilled employees."
The survey quizzed 587 executives from the US, UK, Germany,
France and Japan.