6% of establishments in England reported skill shortage vacancies, an increase of 2% from 2003.  14% of establishments report skills gaps.  The elementary (24%) and skilled trades (17%) occupations have the greatest number of skills gaps.  Only 5% of establishments report skills gaps is the professional occupations.

In Scotland, skill shortage vacancies account for 17% of all vacancies in Scotland with 3% of establishments reporting them.  A large proportion of skill shortage vacancies are within skilled trades (78%).  11% of establishments report internal skills gaps.  Elementary (21%), plus process, plant and machine operatives (18%) occupations report the largest share of skills gaps.  Only 4% of establishments reported skills gaps for professional and 4% of associate professional occupations.  Across all occupations skills gaps are predominantly for technical and practical skills.

In Northern Ireland, businesses report a greater future need for health and safety knowledge (53.8%) and IT skills (53%). 7% of establishments report having a vacancy of any type.  As a proportion of all establishments, 5.3% are hard-to-fill vacancies and 2.7% are skill shortage vacancies, which are the result of a lack of applicants with the required qualifications, motivation and experience.  Sales and customer service occupations have the largest share of skills gaps with 15%, whilst 6% are located within the professional occupations.  Those in skilled trades have a low skill gap of just 6%.

In Wales, 15% of establishments report vacancies in the Lantra sector of which 9% are hard-to-fill and 4% are skills shortage vacancies.  15% of establishments also reported skills gaps.  Future skills needs will be for high level communication skills and the ability to follow instructions.

Source: Sector Skills Agreement Stage 1: Analysis of Current and Future Skills Needs 2005 and Future Skills Wales 2003