In lieu of staff shortages virtually everywhere in the world, businesses in the UK seem to look toward automation as part of the solution. Research by HSBC found that one in three (33%) of businesses are planning to focus capital expenditure on automation.
Automation is on the agenda
Automation could soon graduate. While it has been a buzzword in recruitment for many years, firms seem destined to back up their intention with cash in the coming years. Like most countries in continental Europe, the UK has struggled to fill vacancies. As part of the solution, firms are eyeing increased automation, according to research by banking giant HSBC, as quoted by The Independent.
“The research shows that infamous entrepreneurial spirit of UK businesses continues to lead them to invest, innovate and re-define their growth ambitions.”
A survey among 670 UK firms showed that 33% of businesses intend on spending money on automation. HSBC said the push towards automation to offset skills shortages will see firms adapt to survive. “Corporates that have shown great agility in recent years have not just survived the multitude of growth challenges in recent years but have also thrived. The research shows that infamous entrepreneurial spirit of UK businesses continues to lead them to invest, innovate and re-define their growth ambitions”, said James Cundy, HSBC UK’s managing director and head of mid-market corporate banking and structured finance.
Automation levels lower than anticipated in Netherlands
According to the Recruitment Tech Survey 2022, corporates and firms strike a consistent tone when it comes to adopting automation. The report states that the levels of automating the recruitment process in the Netherlands currently lies at around 36.2%, while that percentage was expected to lie at 45,7%. For 2022, Dutch firms anticipate reaching 45,6%, meaning that nearly half the recruitment process would be automated. It remains to be seen, however, whether the expectations will become reality.
