Should Recruiters Tap into Unskilled Labours?  

The gap between skilled and unskilled labour has never been wider. With employers demanding employees with specialised skills, professionals flock towards degrees in technology, computer science, and engineering - all of which guarantee job security. 

However, how does this trend affect unskilled labour? What is the difference between skilled and unskilled labour, anyway? Here is a closer look at the difference between skilled labour vs. unskilled labour and why recruiters need to tap to the unskilled ones. 

Skilled vs. unskilled labours 

Skilled labour often refers to a line of work that requires technical skills or specialised training. The job of skilled labourers is often synonymous with white-collar jobs, but actually that is not the case. What matters is the level of training and expertise a person has. For instance, electricians, plumbers, and law enforcement officers are categorised as skilled labours. While lawyers, doctors, and architects are categorised as highly-skilled labours. 

On the other hand, unskilled labour does not require workers to have any kind of special training or skills. Because of this, these positions are slowly being displaced by technological innovations like computers and artificial intelligence. Examples of unskilled occupations include farm labourers, cashiers, grocery clerks, or cleaners. 

See also: 3 Simple BUT Critical Things Recruiters Should Do Before New Year 

Mid-skill labour 

Between skilled and unskilled, there is mid-skilled labour. This type of labour addresses the increase in demand for skills, even for less complex jobs. These jobs require some skills because they are more complex than those that can be performed by a non-skilled labourer. However, they do not require highly specialised skills. Examples of mid-skill jobs include truck drivers, typists, and customer service representatives. These jobs generally require more than a high-school diploma but less than a college degree. 

Workforce’s billion-dollar problems: unskilled workers 

CareerBuilder survey showed that 2 in 3 (67 percent) employers say they are concerned about the growing skills gap and it is for good reason. More than half (55 percent) say they have seen a negative impact on their businesses due to extended job vacancies with a sizable proportion of these employers pointing to productivity issues, an increase in voluntary turnover and revenue loss. 

CareerBuilder survey also cited that companies have lots of open positions but cannot find enough workers with the skills they need. 68 percent of employers who said they were increasing their number of full-time, permanent employees in the first quarter, have open positions for which they cannot find qualified candidates. And the average cost HR managers say they incur for having extended job vacancies is more than $800,000 annually. 

Should employers tap into unskilled labourers on the market? 

Bridging the skill gap can have an exponentially positive impact on workers, businesses, and the greater community. In order to thrive today and in the future, tapping into unskilled labour might be necessary, however business leaders need to cultivate and upskill their skills to really make an impact. Business leaders can also join forces with educators, such as building partnerships between universities, corporate training organisations, and corporations. 

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