Covid Impact: Over Half of Companies (52%) Now Reporting Skills Gap - Dublin Chamber Survey 

Skills Gap 

• Over half of companies (52%) indicated that their company has a skills gap.​

Upskilling 

• 2 in 5 companies surveyed (40%) reported that their staff require upskilling.
   
• More than 1 in 4 (26%) indicated that the current Covid-19 crisis has brought this need for upskilling to light.  

Following an unprecedented year of lockdowns, restrictions, and working from home, over half of companies (52%) have identified a skills gap in their company, according to a new survey by Dublin Chamber.  

The survey, carried out by Dublin Chamber amongst more than 300 companies, found that the majority of businesses have been struggling to fill specific skills gaps during the past 12 months. Almost a third of respondents (32%) indicated that they 'struggled to fill a specific skills gap' with the issues 'being apparent for some time'. A further 12% indicated that 'filling a gap in skills through internal resources has been difficult', and worryingly, 8% said that while they have a skills gap, they ‘ do not have the time or resources to address it’.

As companies rallied to respond and adapt to the unique challenges encountered with rapid digitisation and remote working during Covid-19 lockdown we asked them about their Upskilling needs for current staff. 

Two in five survey respondents (40%) reported that their staff require upskilling, with more than one in four (26%) indicating that the current Covid-19 crisis brought this need for upskilling to light.  

According to Dublin Chamber’s Director of Public & International Affairs Aebhric Mc Gibney: “These findings are showcasing the depth of impact of the current Covid-19 crisis on businesses and how they function. Covid-19 has rapidly changed the way we work and the logistics of remote working mean that new skills are required in everything from HR to marketing. The accelerated digitization of the economy has changed work processes, practices, and priorities, leading companies to recognise skills gaps and the need to upskill staff". 

He continued: "That the majority of companies (52%) have identified a skills gap showcases the pace of change. It is particularly concerning that 8% of companies have identified a skills gap but do not have the resources to address it. Mechanisms that reflect the pace of change in the digitizing economy need to be in place to aid businesses in finding the pathways to appropriately upskill and re-skill their staff, particularly for sectors that have been significantly impacted by the current crisis". 

ENDS 

Business Outlook Survey

Dublin Chamber's Business Outlook Survey is a quarterly business survey. Over 300 companies took part in the Q1 2021 survey that took place over a three-week period between the 24th of February and the 15th of March. For a full copy of the survey results click here.