Meeting the challenges of strategic sectors
UK industry is facing unprecedented recruitment challenges, particularly in strategic sectors such as pharmaceuticals, defence and aerospace. These areas, which are fundamental to innovation and national sovereignty, face common challenges such as a shortage of skilled talent, rapidly evolving technologies and the need to constantly adapt the skills of their workforce.
Find out how Actual Talent and its manufacturing recruitment agency experts are supporting the sector today and how our consultants can support you tomorrow.
Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals
Innovation and regulation at the heart of recruitment issues
The pharmaceutical and chemical industry in the UK is undergoing major change, facing major challenges including employment. With around 100,000 employees, the sector is experiencing steady growth, but is facing a severe shortage of talent in the industry’s professions. Rapid technological advances and increasing regulatory requirements mean that companies need to be constantly transformed. R&D plays a decisive role, with more than 80% of pharmaceutical market revenues coming from prescription drugs by 2022. The HR challenges facing the pharmaceutical industry include the search for highly qualified technical candidates, particularly maintenance technicians, as well as the development of soft skills, which has become a decisive factor. Ongoing training and the retention of talent have evolved to become absolute priorities for coping with the skills shortage predicted for the period up to 2035.
Aerospace and Defence
Technological and national security issues
The defence and aeronautics industry, which employs nearly 200,000 people in the UK, is at the heart of technological innovation and national sovereignty. However, this sector faces complex challenges and intense international competition. There is a constant demand for skilled talent, particularly in industrial occupations such as engineering. The HR challenges are compounded by a severe shortage of specialised profiles, particularly in aeronautical engineering and cyber security, a situation that is likely to persist for some years to come. The industry invests heavily in R&D, allocating nearly 15% of its revenues to defence technology innovation. Working in this field requires not only cutting-edge technical skills, but also indispensable soft skills such as resilience and adaptability, which are essential in a constantly changing environment.
Food industry
Between tradition and innovation
The food industry, UK’s largest industrial sector with over 430,000 jobs, is at a crossroads between tradition and modernity. Ecological transition, food safety, changing consumer habits. The sector is undergoing profound change. The HR challenges are considerable, with a shortage of skilled labour, particularly in production and maintenance. Innovation plays a key role, with increasing investment in R&D, particularly in the fields of biotechnology and precision farming. Companies in the sector not only need to attract specialised technical profiles, but also to develop skills in sustainable development and the circular economy. Against this backdrop, the ability to recruit and retain talent is one of the most important factors influencing the competitiveness and long-term future of the UK agri-food businesses.
Actual Talent recruitment solutions to meet industry challenges
Faced with common industrial challenges, but specific to each field, innovative and tailor-made recruitment solutions are needed. Actual Talent puts its HR expertise at your disposal to make the difference in a competitive job market.
- A humanist approach focused on the aspirations and well-being of talent
- Assessment Centres to assess technical and soft skills
- Proactive sourcing to identify potential talent, even during training courses
- Retention and career development strategies to retain key talent
- The creation of cross-sector gateways to facilitate the mobility of talent and enrich skills within the industry
By adopting these approaches, companies in the industry can better navigate the complex employment landscape and ensure their future competitiveness in a rapidly changing world.
Your partner for recruitment in the industrial sector
When you choose Actual Talent, you’re choosing a partner who specialises in the industry, understands the issues specific to the field and is committed to solving your recruitment problems.
Search & Selection
Our in-depth knowledge of industrial sectors enables us to understand your specific needs and target the most suitable profiles, even for the most technical and specialised positions, such as engineers.
RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing)
Thanks to our advanced sourcing methods, we identify potential talent before they even enter the job market. We spot promising profiles still in training, giving you a head start in the talent race.
HR Communication
Beyond recruitment, we help you retain your key talent. Our career development strategies and innovative HR policies help to reduce staff turnover and keep your teams engaged over the long term.
Formation en Recrutement
We don’t just recruit; we help you develop and retain your talent. Our ongoing training programmes are designed to keep your teams’ skills at the cutting edge of innovation, reducing the gap between available skills and your real needs.
Assessment Centre
Our multi-sector expertise enables us to build bridges between different industries. We identify talent with transferable skills, broadening your pool of potential candidates and bringing new perspectives to your business.
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