How can early talent answer your recruitment challenges?
How can early talent answer your recruitment challenges?
Skills shortages and rising employment costs are making it difficult for many small businesses to recruit. Of course, you do sometimes need experienced candidates but there are other ways to solve your challenges, such as developing your own talent pipeline.
We’ ve already seen the recent figures showing more than one million young people are classed as NEET( Not in Education, Employment or Training). We’ ve also read that the reasons behind this are complex, not least the impact of Covid, the cost of higher education and the changes AI and a drop in graduate opportunities bring.
If you haven’ t explored it already, the Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal( HOP) also provides guidance on work experience, T Levels, apprenticeships and connecting with local education providers.
Young people need a first step into the workplace and there are several ways organisations can offer this:
• Work experience placements- a short-term placement usually offered during Year 10 and Year 12 at school gives young people valuable exposure to the workplace and allows you to showcase your business and maybe ignite that spark in a student.
• T Levels- these are qualifications that combine classroom learning with an industry placement of at least 315 hours( around 45 days). A great way to support students whilst also assessing potential future recruits and bringing new ideas into your organisation.
• Apprenticeships- apprenticeships are available across such a wide range of occupations now and they provide a cost-effective recruitment solution as well as the satisfaction of developing skills that meet the needs of your business.
Bringing in early talent requires some investment of time and effort. Young people need additional guidance, clear expectations and regular feedback. But the rewards are worth it – knowing that you are helping to develop confidence, workplace behaviours and employability skills as well as job-specific knowledge.
Looking at things more holistically, competition for experienced employees is unlikely to disappear and as businesses compete for a limited pool of skilled workers, developing talent internally will be an increasingly important part of workforce planning.
How strong is your talent pipeline? Have you considered whether work experience, T Levels or apprenticeships could support your future recruitment needs? Are there local schools, colleges or training providers you could partner with? And could a small investment in early talent today help solve a bigger recruitment challenge tomorrow?
Here in Hertfordshire there is plenty of local support available. Colleges including Oaklands College, West Herts College and North Hertfordshire College all work with employers to support apprenticeships, while several also deliver T Levels and help businesses arrange industry placements.
As always, do get in touch if you ' d like help exploring any of these options or developing an early talent strategy for your business.
Ruth George- HR Consultant- ruth @ ruthgeorge. com | 07899 920075
© Ruth George HR Consulting. This is not legal advice and is provided for general information only.
18 < Boxmoor Direct < July 2026 <