How can we bridge the skills gap in 2025?

In today’s rapidly evolving jobs market, the demand for specialised skills is more pronounced than ever. Hands-on experience is crucial to many industries and this is where apprenticeships come into play. What is the current picture in Kent?

By combining practical training with academic learning, apprenticeships offer an invaluable opportunity for both job seekers and employers.

Skills are the foundation of any successful career. They encompass both hard skills, such as technical abilities and certifications, and soft skills, like communication, teamwork and problem-solving. With the pace of technological advancements, it’s critical for workers to continually adapt by upgrading their skill sets. Many industries, particularly in fields like technology, engineering, healthcare and manufacturing, require workers to have highly specialised skills.

A major challenge today is the gap between the skills that employers need and those that job seekers possess. According to recent studies, employers often find it difficult to fill positions due to the lack of qualified candidates with the right skills. This skills gap can be particularly evident in the trades, where specific expertise is crucial.

The local picture

Skills shortages in Kent, like in many other regions in the UK, have been an ongoing concern, with certain sectors facing significant challenges in filling vacancies due to a lack of skilled workers.

Here are a few key areas where skills shortages are particularly notable in Kent:

Construction and Trades

There is a high demand for skilled workers in construction-related jobs, including electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and bricklayers, due to a combination of factors including an ageing workforce, low numbers of young people entering the trade, and increasing demand for new housing and infrastructure development. The lack of skilled tradespeople has caused delays in construction projects, which, in turn, have an impact on housing supply and local development.

Healthcare

There is a high demand for nurses, doctors, care workers and allied health professionals across Kent. This is due to several factors including an ageing population in Kent and the national shortage of healthcare professionals, which have made it harder for local hospitals and care homes to recruit sufficient staff. This has led to additional strain for the local healthcare system with increased workloads and longer waiting times for patients.