Walsall Council’s efforts to tackle skills shortage applauded
Date Published : 27 June 2008
An innovative online talent pool set up by Walsall Council to tackle a shortage of social workers has won praise from the Audit Commission.
Councils could face a skills shortage in vital areas unless they take a long term view of planning their workforces, according to the Tomorrow’s People: building a local government workforce for the future report, published today. (Friday June 27)
The report warns that only one in four councils has adequate or effective workforce strategies and systems and highlights Walsall Council for its success in recruiting social workers through the launch of a micro website.
As a result of the website, launched following a severe staff shortage in 2005, more than 50 social worker posts have been filled.
And recruitment costs have fallen as a result – from £10,000 per recruitment advert to £360 per appointment.
Walsall Council leader Councillor John O’Hare said: “All local authorities are facing the same skills shortage problems. At Walsall we have identified the issue as a priority and are making positive progress towards addressing it.We know that fewer young people are joining local government for instance, but we are working hard to encourage them to re-consider."
“We will also be doing more work with partner organisations to look at how we can better offer jobs and careers to unemployed people in Walsall.”
Paul Smith, head of Walsall Council human resources and development, said: “The microsite is an online talent pool which has helped the authority fill fifty plus social worker posts since 2003 when a recruitment crisis was identified nationally. The site nurtures potential social care candidates who have not yet completed their training but are due to do so shortly as well as attracting new recruits by simplifying administrative procedures and reducing costs in the process."
“The site is an invaluable forward planning tool and helps the council have a constant presence in the market place. It complies with equal opportunities and anti-discrimination legislation as it is an open site and helps establish a regular dialogue with potential candidates."
“We regularly promote the site at recruitment events and among agency staff. The microsite is one of many strategies Walsall Council has used to address a shortfall in social care staff. We also offer golden hellos of £1,500 to new to Walsall employees – given after a six month probation period – and have recruited some staff from overseas via video conference links.”
Audit Commission chief executive Steve Bundred said councils were having difficulty recruiting young people and some key professionals.
He said:” Some councils are already doing an excellent job putting robust plans in place to deal with potential future skills shortages. But all chief executives, leaders and management should follow the lead of the best councils and act now to defuse this demographic time bomb.”