Globalisation is breaking down traditional labour markets and employment patterns. Employers in developed nations and in parts of the developing world are experiencing skills gaps as the speed with which the nature of work changes increases.

Governments are struggling to help populations reskill and there is growing concern at an international level, for example at the World Economic Forum, about the growing problem of unemployment. [i]

In my 30 years experience I have never seen such an incredible shortage of talented people - whether it is in Germany, Brazil, China, India or Kansas.

Samual A. DiPiazza Jr, Global Chief Executive Officer, PricewaterhouseCoopers

• Almost half of all businesses with skills shortage vacancies lose out to competitors due to a lack of skilled workers.[ii]
• Just over a third of employers said that they would need a higher level of skills over the next three years. Just over a quarter said that they would need a "broader range of capabilities." [iii]
• American business identified recruitment and selection of qualified workers as the top concern for the new millennium. [iv]

Many disabled people are highly skilled and represent a significant untapped pool of talent:

• 45,000 disabled students in the UK study at university every year
• 23.9% of disabled people in work are in management or professional occupations
• 2% of the workforce becomes disabled every year. Due to poor employment practices and the need for rehabilitation leave many of these people are not retained by their employers
• At least 1.5 million part time disabled workers are working below their potential

Employers are increasingly recognising that they need to be innovative in finding new sources of talent to fill the skills gaps which they are experiencing. Through examining recruitment and employment practices and processes through the experience of disabled people, global employers will develop approaches which work better for diverse employee groups working flexibly, across different time zones and in different cultures.

However it is important to recognise the link between disability and social exclusion, which has led to many disabled people being underskilled:

• One third of people who have no qualifications at all are disabled - a gap which has widened since 1997. [iv]

Governments and large employers are working together to plan for the increasing structural mismatch between labour market demand and the skill level of the population. 

80 million citizens in the EU are low skilled, yet it is estimated that only 15% of jobs in the EU will be low skilled.  The challenge is obvious.

Jan Figel, Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Multilingualism, December 2004

• Building Block 1: The strategic benefits of Disability Confidence

Sources

1. [i] http://www.weforum.org/pdf/summitreports/am2006/future.htm
2. [ii] Learning and Skills Council Research, Business Voice, CBI, November 2005
3. [iii] CIPD quoted in Opportunity Now business case briefing
4. [iv]  Disability Rights Commission, 2006
5. [v] Speech by Bert Massie, Chair, Disability Rights Commission