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<\/a>In general, over half of CEOs (52% vs 48% 2016) expect to increase headcount over next 12 months. The UK (63%), China (60%), India (67%) and Canada (64%) are amongst those with the most ambitious hiring plans.\u00a0 Looking by industry it is CEOs in the Asset Management (64%), Healthcare (64%) and Technology (59%) that have the most ambitious hiring plans, with CEOs in the Government and public sector (32%) having the least.<\/p>\n
Concern about skills has more than doubled in 20 years<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n With the speed of technological change a concern for 70% of CEOs, it\u2019s no surprise that skills in creativity and innovation, leadership and emotional intelligence are identified as the most valuable skills, that CEOs are finding it difficult to recruit. Digital and STEM skills are a recruitment issue for over half of business leaders (taking into account all CEos surveyed, not only in the Coomunications or Entertainment industries).<\/p>\n Over half of business leaders interviewed (52%) are already exploring the benefits of how humans and machines can work together, and two out five (39%) are considering the impact of artificial intelligence on future skills needs.<\/p>\n Bob Moritz, Global Chairman, PwC underscores:\u00bbCEO’s are concerned that key skill shortages will impair their company\u2019s growth potential, relevance and sustainability.\u00a0 And it’s soft skills that they value the most. Innovation and relationship skills can’t be coded.\u00a0 So to drive the change CEOs need – thinking carefully and actioning accordingly \u2013 a balance between technology and irreplaceable skills in their people is key.\u00a0 Managing expectations with stakeholders will help enable the needed trust to survive and thrive. Bottom line – prioritizing the human element in a more virtual world will be a pre-requisite for future success.\u201d<\/p>\n Concern about skills has more than doubled in 20 years (from 31% concerned in 1998 to 77% in 2017) and human capital is a top three business priority, with diversity and inclusiveness and workforce mobility amongst the strategies being used to address future skills needs.\u00a0Skills availability is a concern for over three quarters (77%) of business leaders, and is highest for CEOs in Africa (80%), and Asia Pacific (82%).<\/p>\n Plans of hiring and skills concerns are just two among many other surveyed in PWC’s research.<\/p>\n Image over the headline.-<\/strong>\u00a0RTVE employees at work. \u00a9 RTVE<\/span><\/p>\n