Colleges Need a New Approach to Staffing – These Five Changes Can Deliver it
As the UK education system faces increasing financial pressure and staffing challenges, it is clear that colleges must take bold steps to address these issues.
By adopting these strategies, colleges can create a more resilient, effective workforce – one that is equipped to meet the evolving needs of students and institutions alike.
When seeking to find solutions, it’s vital to shine a light on the difficulty colleges face with staffing.
The strategic approaches they can take to combat the issues revolve around these five areas:
1. Ensure Dedicated ‘On-Site’ Recruitment:
One of the most effective ways to tackle recruitment challenges is by introducing on-site recruitment solutions. By embedding dedicated recruiters within college teams, this approach offers institutions tailored, hands-on support to streamline recruitment processes. Rather than juggling multiple agencies, a single recruitment partner can provide consistency, efficiency, and expertise, leading to faster fill rates and a better overall candidate experience.
An embedded model ensures that recruitment aligns with the college’s unique needs and values. When recruiters are deeply embedded in an institution’s culture and long-term goals, they can better assess candidate fit, reducing mismatches and lowering turnover.
2. Focus on staff development and career progression:
Retention is not just about offering competitive salaries—it’s also about investing in staff development. A key factor in preventing turnover is ensuring that staff feel supported and valued.
Tailored CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities, career progression pathways, and a supportive work environment all contribute to retention. Colleges that invest in their staff’s growth are more likely to foster loyalty and reduce burnout.
3. Implement Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs):
Another cost-effective strategy to improve staff retention is the implementation of Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). These programmes offer a range of support services, including mental health counselling, financial advice, and stress management resources.
While the upfront costs of EAPs may be modest, the long-term benefits are substantial. By improving employee wellbeing, colleges can enhance morale, reduce absenteeism, and increase retention rates.
4. Use data-driven hiring:
The use of AI and data-driven recruitment platforms can significantly improve hiring accuracy and reduce costs. By leveraging data to assess candidates’ suitability based on a range of factors – skills, experience, and cultural fit – colleges can make smarter, more informed hiring decisions. This approach reduces the chances of hiring mismatches, lowering turnover and the associated financial costs.
5. And be sure to collaborate with the industry:
Finally, forming partnerships with local businesses and industry leaders can help colleges build robust talent pipelines. By working together to create apprenticeships, shared teaching roles, and other collaborative initiatives, colleges can expand their recruitment base while reducing costs.
AMPLIFY, part of Bookmark and The Protocol Group, places dedicated recruitment experts directly within colleges, providing tailored support to help institutions improve their hiring processes, increase fill rates and better manage the costs of recruitment both short and long term.
Contact our friendly team today to find out more.
