Supporting employees while tightening business budgets

The UK’s ongoing financial pressures have resulted in a stalemate between employers and employees, according to a Coventry and Warwickshire recruitment specialist.

Reed, which covers recruitment across the area, says that while employers need to tighten their budgets, employees are looking for better wages - and for businesses in the Warwickshire and Coventry region, the demand for better wages can be intense.

Earlier this year, research from Reed revealed salary expectation gaps across the UK. It found that workers in the West Midlands feel they need an annual salary of £47,000 to live comfortably, however, the average national wage in the region is currently £33,000.

The research also found that 57 per cent of people in the West Midlands are currently looking for, or considering looking for, a new job.

The top reasons for this include pay being insufficient or perceived to be better elsewhere, benefits not being good enough and a toxic workplace culture. On top of this, nearly half of workers (44 per cent) are not happy with the pay they receive.

Reed covers recruitment across the Coventry and Warwickshire area for roles at all levels in sectors including HR, procurement and supply chain, hospitality, leisure and facilities, finance and accountancy, manufacturing and engineering and all business support and administration.

Rachel Oldfield, Senior Area Manager at Reed, said: “Business leaders can’t always increase salaries, especially with rising costs, the burden of overheads and higher business rates looming.

“However, if businesses can, do so, even if it’s a small amount, as it can make a big impact to how valued workers feel.

“But there are other ways to keep employees happy, such as looking at the benefits being offered.

“What employees value varies between industries and regions. For businesses in Coventry and the wider West Midland region, aside from annual salary increments which came out on top, the most popular benefits are flexi-time (34 per cent), a four-day working week (33 per cent) and private healthcare (28 per cent).

“This time last year, an EY report stated that the West Midlands was set to be one of the UK’s fastest growing regions – and that it will be home to one of the UK’s top locations for economic growth.

“The labour market in Coventry remains active, but we’re seeing a high level of applications for open vacancies as people look to better their salary to battle rising costs.

“My advice to businesses would be to align the benefits they are offering with those that employees value, as they will be in a better position to keep talent within the company, saving costs in the long run, while also helping attract new employees when they’re ready to hire again.”

Further information about Reed is available at https://www.reed.com/.

Business Administration Apprentice wins ‘Young Employee of the Year’

Kiera Turner, a Business Administration Apprentice that attends Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, has won ‘Young Employee of the Year’ at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC).

She joined their Resources Directorate when she was 17, commenting that: “It was my first corporate job, and I had no idea what to expect.

Kiera added: “A year later, and I am planning the Mayor’s Charity Ball, setting up live broadcasts for the Director of Resources and I have been nominated for Young Employee of the Year. I have come a long way from where I started, and it is all down to the support from my employer and my tutor at Chamber Training.”

Kiera's colleague Paul Wayman, Head of Catering Services at SMBC, says that: “Kiera is a pleasure to work with and has a genuinely lovely attitude to work. She is helpful, kind and a credit to the Council!”

Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training would like to say a massive congratulations to Kiera on this accomplishment.

If you are interested in finding out more about apprenticeships please contact enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 02476231122.

Chamber Training prepares for Summer Schools

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has designed Summer School vocational tasters for young people in Coventry to explore career paths and find out more about what it’s like to work in a range of different industries and sectors.

Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training has designed Summer School vocational tasters for young people in Coventry to explore career paths and find out more about what it is like to work in a range of different industries and sectors.

The Summer School programmes start in July and will offer a valuable insight into the world of work and help young people identify their strengths, transferable skills and areas of interest.

The Summer Schools are for individuals who are looking to take their first steps into the workplace. The transition from education to employment can be daunting, which is why young people can access a valuable pool of expertise at Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Training, that will help them to plan their future, investigate career paths and gain up-to-date knowledge of local apprenticeship opportunities.

Summer Schools are being offered in Accountancy, Early Years Care, Business Administration and Hairdressing. Each course is designed to provide an overview of the sector and give participants a feel for what it is like to work in that field over a four-week period.

If you would like to attend one of the Summer Schools or find out more information please email enquiries@cw-chambertraining.co.uk or call 02476 231122.