Staying updated on the latest workforce trends is crucial for TA leaders and HR professionals. This week, we delve into three significant developments shaping the talent landscape and get SocialTalent CEO, Johnny Campbell’s first-hand takes on these pieces.
- According to Robert Walters, cost constraints are pushing employers to fill roles with underqualified hires, yet most don’t invest in training. Is cutting training worth the impact on workload and productivity?
- AI-driven screening may unintentionally exclude older candidates, risking age bias according to this piece in HR News. How can employers ensure AI-driven hiring remains fair and inclusive?
- This insight with LinkedIn’s VP of Talent Acquisition looks at how recruiting has shifted from transactional work to a data-driven, strategic profession. As AI transforms hiring, what are the future impacts on talent management and early-career roles?
Join us as we explore these pivotal insights and their implications for the future of work.
1. 71% of Irish employers hire ‘underqualified’ staff due to recruitment cost cuts
Source: Breaking News
Due to budget constraints, 71% of Irish employers admit to hiring underqualified staff, yet only 34% invest in training to bridge skill gaps. As demand for skilled professionals rises, cost-cutting measures are leading to increased stress, with 80% of employers noticing added workload for current staff. Nearly a quarter of employees report excessive workload, risking burnout and “quiet quitting.” Experts suggest investing in qualified talent upfront may yield long-term productivity gains.
Johnny Campbell’s take on this:
“If ever there was a good argument for a more joined-up approach to talent management, this is it!! Recruiters that are only allowed to recruit, can’t solve the actual problems of the business: getting stuff done right! Proper Talent Business Partner’s are needed; people who can balance the supply of the candidate market with upskilling initiatives and better org design to realign the work to be done.“
2. Expert Reveals How Recruiters Using AI Could Be Discriminating Against Older Workers
Source: HR News
As AI recruitment tools grow, age discrimination risks rise, with 48% of UK recruiters using AI to screen applicants. Tools like ATS may unintentionally exclude older candidates by focusing on recent, “modern” skills, disproportionately affecting those over 50. Without checks on AI training data, age bias in hiring may worsen, reducing opportunities for older talent. Experts urge employers to audit these systems to promote age inclusivity and create fairer recruitment processes.
Johnny Campbell’s take on this:
“It’s great to see someone finally talking about age bias in hiring algorithms. Whilst this particular article lacks any real evidence (I suspect it was actually written by AI!), the point is that we all know recruiters can have an age bias so it’s highly probable that AI algorithms will end up reinforcing these biases. However, the fact remains that the volume of AI written applications is soaring and recruiters cannot keep up! We ain’t going to solve this any time soon folks!“
3. LinkedIn’s VP of Talent Acquisition on How Recruiting has Changed in the Last 30 Years
Source: HR Brew
LinkedIn’s VP of Talent Acquisition, Erin Scruggs, reflects on recruiting’s transformation over the past 30 years, from manual candidate searches to AI-driven efficiency. She highlights recruiting’s shift from transactional tasks to a strategic role, using data insights to guide hiring. Scruggs envisions AI reshaping talent management, including universal skills taxonomies and equity-centered hiring. However, she warns that as AI evolves, early-career roles may face displacement, impacting pathways from education to employment.
Johnny Campbell’s take on this:
“Finding talent today vs 30 years ago reminds me of what it used to be like trying to find some obscure electronics gadget back in the 90s compared to today, when all I have to do is open the Amazon app and I have hundreds of options, all ready to be delivered tomorrow! But here’s the nudge; candidates aren’t like electronic gadgets; they can say no. They want to be courted and persuaded to “go into your shopping cart”. That’s where recruiters will need to focus their skills on next. Back where we started back in the late 90s!“
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The post Talent News Round-Up: Underqualified Talent, AI Discrimination, and The Evolution of TA appeared first on SocialTalent.