This statistic shows the frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017. The most common skills that employers identified as lacking when trying to fill such vacancies were technical, practical or job specific. 30 percent of applicants were seen to be lacking basic numerical skills whilst 23 percent didn't come up to scratch with regards to using basic IT.
Frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017*
* Skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) are defined as "vacancies which are proving difficult to fill due to the establishment not being able to find applicants with the appropriate skills, qualifications or experience."
Methodology and background note (from source):
During the survey, employers were first asked to give their reasons for not being able to fill vacancies spontaneously (i.e. without being presented with a list of possible reasons). Any employers not reporting skills-related issues were then prompted as to whether any of their hard-to-fill vacancies were proving hard-to-fill due to a lack of skills, experience or qualifications among applicants.
Employers who reported having vacancies that were difficult to fill because of skill shortages were read a list of types of skills and asked, for each occupation in which they reported skill-shortage vacancies, which skills were lacking. This statistic shows results based on the total number of skill-shortage vacancies (as opposed to establishments with skill-shortage vacancies).
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Statista Accounts:
Access All Statistics. Starting from $468 / Year
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, & GOV.UK. (October 8, 2018). Frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017* [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 19, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/290406/skills-lacking-in-applicants-to-skill-shortage-vacancies-in-the-uk/
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, und GOV.UK. "Frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017*." Chart. October 8, 2018. Statista. Accessed August 19, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/290406/skills-lacking-in-applicants-to-skill-shortage-vacancies-in-the-uk/
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, GOV.UK. (2018). Frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017*. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 19, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/290406/skills-lacking-in-applicants-to-skill-shortage-vacancies-in-the-uk/
UK Commission for Employment and Skills, and GOV.UK. "Frequency of Skills Described as Lacking among Applicants as a Proportion of All Skill-shortage Vacancies (Ssvs) in The United Kingdom (Uk) in 2017*." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Oct 2018, https://www.statista.com/statistics/290406/skills-lacking-in-applicants-to-skill-shortage-vacancies-in-the-uk/
UK Commission for Employment and Skills & GOV.UK, Frequency of skills described as lacking among applicants as a proportion of all skill-shortage vacancies (SSVs) in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2017* Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/290406/skills-lacking-in-applicants-to-skill-shortage-vacancies-in-the-uk/ (last visited August 19, 2022)
