Two Thirds of UK Telcos Expect to Create New Jobs This Year

The UK telecoms sector is upbeat about its plans to create new jobs with 63 percent of businesses stating that they plan to do so this year compared to a national average of 58 percent, according to the Barclays Job Creation Survey 2012.

Of those, all expected to create jobs for skilled workers and middle management, while 40 percent also expected to open positions in senior management. A quarter of respondents (26%) also expected entry level jobs to be created. When asked whether job creation would generate sales, or sales growth would lead to job creation, 77 percent of telecoms companies said growth would need to come first.

The research, in which 670 executives at UK businesses were surveyed, also revealed that 69 percent of telecoms companies felt that private sector job creation would not compensate for public sector job losses. O
nly half of respondents stated that they would be interested in employing ex-public sector workers, while 42 percent said they would not consider this group for roles. This is despite the fact that 54 percent of telecoms companies said they felt that ex-public sector workers would be well-equipped to take up a position in their business.

"We've seen significant M&A activity in the telecoms industry over the last few years and our Job Creation Survey reflects the general optimism in the sector and the opportunities in the UK," said Sean Duffy, Head of Industry, Technology, Media and Telecoms Team at Barclays. "Telecoms companies though, more than others, remain sceptical about the ability of public sector workers to enter the private sector.

Perhaps this is because most jobs being created will be for skilled and mid-level workers, and companies will be looking for experienced staff who already work in their sector. Whatever the reason, the telecoms sector needs to tackle this mistrust if we are to have a fluid employment market where people can move easily between public and private sector roles."

Other key findings:

- 93 percent of telecoms companies felt that the Government's efforts to remove barriers to job creation had no impact.

- 15 percent of telecoms companies are much more confident about their ability to create new jobs compared to a year ago; 11 percent are somewhat more confident.