Recruiters Predict a Greater Demand For Flexible Working & Greater Reliance on Tech in 2023

RECRUITERS PREDICT A GREATER DEMAND FOR FLEXIBLE WORKING AND A GREATER RELIANCE ON TECH IN 2023

Recruiters are predicting a significant increase in demand for flexible working and a greater reliance on technology in the workforce for the year 2023. As more companies continue to prioritise work-life balance and remote work capabilities, the need for flexible working options has become increasingly important. Along with this shift, companies are also looking for ways to leverage technology to streamline processes and increase productivity.

Approximately 53%, of recruiters, believe flexible working to be the main priority of the ‘contemporary candidate’, according to umbrella firm Cool Company. Meanwhile, 50% said that there would be seeing a greater reliance on technology, including remote interviewing (40%) and 39% believed that the focus on diversity and inclusion would continue to grow.

With the advent of new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, recruiters are predicting a greater reliance on technology in the workforce. Companies will increasingly turn to automation to help with tasks like scheduling, data entry, and other administrative jobs. This will enable employees to focus on more critical tasks that require human insight and decision-making abilities. In addition to automation, recruiters predict that there will be an increased focus on the use of collaboration tools and communication software. As remote work continues to become more popular, companies will need to rely on these tools to facilitate communication and collaboration between teams. This will require employees to be comfortable using these types of tools and to have a good understanding of how they work.

With an increased focus on flexibility and tech, 25% of agencies said that they believed that there would be greater demand for the contract workforce this year, with 58% having experienced a significant uplift in overseas contractor placements in 2022. While 35% said that they anticipated an increase in contractors working remotely in the UK.

The UK employment scene is facing a global talent shortage and a local cost of living crisis, employers are having to do a lot to both retain their existing employees and attract new talent to their businesses. Off the back of this recruiters predict that there will be an increased focus on upskilling and reskilling employees to adapt to the changing demands of the workforce. As new technologies continue to emerge, companies will need to ensure that their employees are equipped with the skills necessary to use them effectively. This may require companies to invest in training programs or provide access to online learning platforms.

Overall, the shift towards flexible working and a greater reliance on technology is set to continue in 2023. Companies that embrace these changes and invest in their workforce will be better equipped to compete in an increasingly digital and remote world. Recruiters will play a critical role in helping companies find the right talent to meet these changing demands and ensure that they have the skills necessary to succeed.