COVENTRY Commerce chiefs believe recruitment remains ‘a major headache’ for firms in the area, despite a 0.2 per cent increase in unemployment in the month to October.
Economic inactivity also fell and employment rose, with 50 to 64-year-olds re-joining the workforce.
But Coventry and Warwickshire chamber of commerce chief executive Corin Crane said recruitment remains ‘very high’ on the list of concerns for local businesses.
He added: “There are companies in this area that are ready to grow and take on new staff but they just can’t find the people – and that goes across a range of sectors.
“The statistics show that 50 to 64-year-olds are starting to return to the workforce – potentially driven by the cost of living crisis – and that is something the Government needs to nurture through training and upskilling programmes.
“But that is not going to be enough with the sheer number of vacancies in the job market.
He added the government’s top priority to help keep the economy moving in the New Year, as well as ensure the ‘widely forecast recession’ is as short as possible.
“And, if unemployment starts to rise during the recession, we look at ways of ensuring people have the necessary skills to fulfil those vacancies that are available.”