Skills shortages are affecting UK industries like construction and care. Here’s how Atrium recruitment helps employers overcome these gaps.
The UK is facing a skills shortage across multiple sectors, and both construction and care are among the hardest hit. Employers are struggling to fill roles, projects are delayed, and services can suffer. At Atrium, we understand the challenges businesses face and the strategies required to secure top talent in a competitive market. This blog explores how recruitment is adapting to the current skills shortage and how Atrium helps employers stay ahead.
Understanding the Skills Shortage
Several factors contribute to the current shortage:
Aging workforce – Many experienced workers are retiring, leaving gaps in key roles
High demand in multiple sectors – Both construction and care require highly trained professionals
Training bottlenecks – Apprenticeship and professional development pipelines can’t keep pace
Brexit and immigration changes – Reduced overseas recruitment has limited available talent
This shortage makes recruitment more strategic than ever. Employers can no longer rely on traditional methods to attract and retain the right candidates.
Innovative Recruitment Strategies
1. Expanding Candidate Pools
Recruiters are now looking beyond local markets, reaching out to regional and international talent. Atrium works with networks and partners to identify candidates who may not be actively applying but fit client requirements perfectly.
2. Apprenticeships and Training Programs
Investing in apprenticeships and on-the-job training is another way to mitigate skills gaps. By partnering with training providers and supporting career progression, employers can cultivate their own skilled workforce. Atrium helps clients identify candidates who are ready to grow with their organisations.
3. Flexible Work Models
Offering flexible working arrangements, such as part-time, temporary, or hybrid roles, attracts candidates who might otherwise be unavailable. This approach works well in both care and construction, especially for skilled workers balancing personal commitments.
4. Embracing Technology
From AI-powered CV screening to remote interviews, technology speeds up recruitment and identifies high-potential candidates efficiently. Atrium combines technology with personal expertise to ensure the process remains human-centred.
How Atrium Supports Employers
Atrium takes a proactive approach to solving skills shortages:
Talent Mapping: Identifying potential candidates before roles are advertised
Candidate Engagement: Building relationships with passive candidates to ensure availability
Tailored Solutions: Matching clients with the right skills, experience, and cultural fit
Retention Advice: Supporting employers in creating workplaces that retain talent long-term
Our strategies not only fill immediate vacancies but also build sustainable recruitment pipelines for the future.
Case Study: Construction and Care
Construction: Atrium recently helped a regional contractor fill multiple skilled trades roles by combining local outreach with international recruitment, reducing project delays by 30%.
Care: For a residential care provider struggling with turnover, Atrium introduced a mix of flexible shift patterns and targeted recruitment campaigns, increasing staff retention and client satisfaction.
These examples highlight the difference a specialist recruiter can make when addressing skills shortages.
Conclusion
Skills shortages aren’t going away, but with the right recruitment strategy, businesses can overcome them. Atrium combines industry expertise, innovative approaches, and personalised service to help employers in construction and care secure the talent they need to succeed.
Call-to-Action:
If you’re struggling to find the right talent in construction or care, Atrium can help. Contact us today to learn how our recruitment solutions can fill your skills gaps and support long-term business growth.