Upskilling existing marketing teams and future hires is a big consideration for employers.
We understand that the skills gap has left many businesses struggling to find talent with the right specialist marketing skills to support their growth. In fact, our recent e-commerce report, ‘Asking E-commerce Experts: What is the biggest challenge you’re facing?’, found that up-skilling junior staff is currently the second biggest challenge facing managers and senior leaders.
To help employers overcome the digital skills gap and gain access to the skills they need to support marketing and business-wide growth, we have put together our guide to upskilling your marketing team.
What is the digital skills gap?
Research conducted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing reveals that the majority of digital marketing skills stagnated or declined between 2020 and 2021. With so much movement in the market over these two years, many people haven’t been able to access the same level of consistent training that they could have expected previously. Moreover, with offices closed, junior talent has had less access to more senior members of the team to learn from. This has resulted in a digital skills gap that continues to impact the recruitment market today.
Contract recruitment provides a temporary solution
Upskilling and hiring specialist marketing skill sets can be a lengthy process. If you need immediate specialist support for a project, hiring marketing contractors can be a great temporary solution.
Contract recruitment gives employers access to hard-to-find skills and niche knowledge at pace, upskilling your team in an instant. As there is no need for businesses to train interim staff or provide them with equipment, contractors can get started on projects straight away. This allows projects to be completed on time without adding to headcount or whilst hiring managers continue their search for permanent hires.
Why should employers be offering learning and development opportunities?
Our report, ‘How to Hire: What marketing recruitment will look like in 2023’, reveals that learning and development opportunities are among the top five benefits candidates are looking for in their job searches.
From the hundreds of conversations our recruitment consultants have with candidates on a daily basis, training and career advancement opportunities are key to their job searches. Candidates are recognising the impact that the digital skills gap has had on their careers and are actively looking to mitigate this. According to PwC’s ‘Workforce of the Future’ report, 74% of employees are prepared to learn new skills or re-train to remain employable, evidencing the demand for these opportunities.
PwC’s report also reveals that 60% believe 'few people will have stable, long-term employment in the future'. Stability is another key factor for candidates searching for a new role at present. Many are seeking a secure opportunity due to the evolving economic environment.
Learning and development opportunities are the solution to all of these problems. By investing in learning and development, businesses will not only upskill their current marketing team, but also attract new candidates and show that they’re prepared to invest in their employees’ futures.
Identified a digital marketing skills gap in your team?
Get in touch to learn more about our marketing talent solutions. 3Search is a specialist marketing recruitment agency dedicated to delivering the best recruitment experience you will ever have.
