Data website suggests 'skills mismatch' in jobs market Published duration 20 April 2016

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There is a "mismatch" between skills Scottish employers are looking for and the qualifications jobseekers possess, according to "big data" analysis.

It found there were about 128,300 entry-level vacancies in mid-skilled occupations in 2014.

Demand for workers was particularly high in personal care, sales and marketing and finance administration.

There were significantly more advertised vacancies in the personal care sector than qualified jobseekers.

The same applied to vacancies for welfare and housing associates, and office managers and supervisors.

Skills 'mismatch'

But there was also a skills "mismatch" in the other direction, according to the new data website developed by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and analytics firm Burning Glass Technologies.

It found some sectors had many qualified jobseekers competing for every job.

The three occupations in which qualified jobseekers in Scotland were most likely to be struggling to find entry-level jobs were animal care, agriculture and emergency services and related occupations.

One explanation for the figures is that they reflect sectors with fast turnover of workers.

The website, developed as part of JPMorgan Chase's new skills at work programme, matches online data about the vacancies that employers are offering with data about qualifications jobseekers actually have.

The tool allows users to look at how supply and demand for different types of jobs varies in different local areas of the UK.

'Difficult to recruit'

IPPR Scotland director Russell Gunson said: "It is encouraging to see there are tens of thousands of jobs available for education leavers in Scotland but there is a question of whether desired careers and skills of jobseekers match opportunities in the local labour market.

"Our data suggests there is a mismatch.

"In Scotland the figures indicate that some sectors are finding it difficult to recruit - while many qualified young people are struggling to find the jobs they want.

"If we want to increase employment among young people leaving education the government will need to find ways to help them to acquire the skills in sectors where the most opportunities exist.

"In some cases, these sectors will also need to find ways to make occupations more attractive to young people. There is a role for education and training providers too."

The data is to be made available on www.wheretheworkis.org