Local Government Recruitment: Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Solutions in 2024

As we step into the last few months of 2024, local authorities across the UK face a challenging landscape in recruitment. A survey by the Local Government Association (LGA) revealed that over 90% of councils are struggling to fill roles in at least one occupation. Despite offering a diverse range of over 800 roles, from social work to IT, local councils continue to face significant staffing issues, including shortages, budget constraints, outdated recruitment processes, and an increasing reliance on agency staff. However, there are proactive measures local authorities can take to turn the tide.

Key Challenges in Local Government Recruitment

1. Recruitment and Retention

Recruitment and retention remain critical hurdles for local councils. According to the LGA’s report, 78% of councils are finding it difficult to attract qualified staff, especially in sectors like social services, education, and healthcare. Retaining younger talent in these areas is particularly challenging. Although public sector employment saw a slight increase to 5.87 million in June 2023, local government growth lagged behind central government, hampered by ongoing recruitment and retention issues.

2. Financial Constraints

Financial pressures, worsened by unresolved pay disputes, further complicate recruitment efforts. Guildford Borough Council, for example, froze recruitment to address a £300 million debt, while Glasgow City Council faced a £770 million pay dispute. Rising costs mean many councils are struggling to balance budgets, making the need for strategic solutions even more pressing.

3. Outdated Recruitment Processes

While private sector recruitment practices have evolved, many local councils are still behind the curve. Modernising recruitment is essential to attract talent efficiently. Positive strides have been made, such as Halton Borough Council’s move from lengthy paper application forms to CVs and immediate interviews. Many councils are now centralising departmental recruitment and adopting modern applicant tracking systems, enabling them to hire more effectively and cost-efficiently.

Developing Solutions for Local Government Recruitment

1. Buy Adverts In Bulk

Bulk buy your job adverts through a media buying service and dramatically reduce your recruitment advertising costs. This works for councils posting over 1000 jobs a year. If you post less than that, then purchasing credits of a reseller can also provide savings. Ecruit can help with both of these, book a call in here is you’d like to have a FREE price comparison on what you are paying, to what you could be paying.

2. Free Multiposting

Does your ATS allow you to post jobs onto hundreds of job boards for free? This is one of the easiest ways to attract traffic to your site for free and fill your jobs quicker. We offer a full ATS that can do this for you. Find out more about our ATS solutions HERE.

3. Cut Down Application Forms

60% of candidates apply for a job on mobile. If you rely on detailed application forms (especially for lower skills or blue colour jobs) you will reduce application rates by up to 40%.

4. Optimize Adverts

Most councils tend to post job specs which simply detail the main responsibilities of the role. When we work with councils we work on optimizing the job ad which leads to 40% traffic and more applications. Ads can be optimized with keywords to help improve search rankings but also can ensure you are selling your brand and the opportunity which increase the apply rate.

5. Optimize Job Title

The importance of job titles is an often overlooked aspect of recruitment. One of the quickest wins you can have is to take out internal jargon ensure you have the best keywords in your job title. This will help generate more candidates but also ensure you are getting the best people matched to the job applying.

6. Check Your Salary

We always recommend including the salary in your job advert. A survey by Talent.com found that 98% of candidates feel knowing the salary before applying for a role is important. To ensure the salary you are offering is competitive you should always check against a salary checker such Glassdoor.

Conclusion: Shaping the Future of Local Government Recruitment

While local government recruitment presents many challenges, they are not insurmountable. By modernising processes, strategically highlighting the unique benefits of council jobs, and utilising technology, local governments can attract and retain a skilled and committed workforce. This will ultimately contribute to shaping the future of effective local governance in the UK.

We know the issues that many local councils have with lack of budget and time when it comes to recruitment, which is why ecruit specialise in helping you hire the best talent at a fixed, low cost.

Why not book a call with us today to find out how we can help revolutionise your recruitment strategy.