Brexit & Supply Chain Recruitment

With the uncertainty of looming Brexit, the Logistic and Supply Chain Industry is reacting. Will products need to be rerouted away from the UK, will more staff be required and current staff re-trained to deal with the extra paperwork, customs and tariffs that are to be expected?

Of course, either soft or hard Brexit, the current supply chains that transport through the UK will have to change and/or diversify and numerous contingencies plans are being drawn up.

The challenges facing the companies are not being made any easier by the UK not having a clear and decisive agreement and plan in place. More importantly, companies have issues regarding staffing and recruitment.

Currently there is a labour shortage for a number of roles within the Industry. Companies are having to look at hiring junior candidates and invest in extra training. Also companies will need to start looking outside Ireland for experience. With more paperwork, longer routes, increased costs and a labour shortage, there are a big challenge ahead.

With Irish Ports being a potential alternative for importing/exporting products, a large increase of staff could also be required. Where will all these extra staff come from?

People, like clients, are not committing to anything until Brexit is implemented either way. Candidates are looking at current roles but not willing to make any moves yet. Why move from one company to another until the industry is more secure.

Candidates who are prepared to make the change and offered roles, are finding that they are being counter offered to remain in their current employment.

With the potential changes and degrees of uncertainty, companies are encountering difficulties in hiring new staff and are seeking the help of specialist recruitment agencies to help them secure new hires. The agencies are aware of the fluctuating job markets, the candidates who are actively looking for a new role/challenge and more importantly the skill sets from overseas that can be easily transferred to Irish companies.

The agencies also have contact with candidates currently based in the UK and looking to return home or relocate to Ireland. Not only are they advising the candidates on suitable roles for them but also offering advice to the companies as well.

What the immediate future will bring over the next few months, is anyone’s guess, but what is clear, is the investment required for staffing in the industry. Current staff will need to be trained on any new contingency plans and new staff may be required for the extra work.

Also the mindset of employers to look further afield for experienced staff and be prepared to hire and train inexperienced staff to fill the staff shortages must be considered.