Dublin Debrief – Key Messages from the World Employment Conference

Over 400 recruitment and employment leaders from 40 different countries convened in Dublin last week for the World Employment Conference (WEC). This event was an opportunity to take stock of global trends and share views on a range of hot topics including talent platforms, social innovation, evolving workforce models and the future of work.

This year’s annual gathering – which the REC hosted back in 2012 - was hosted by Ireland’s National Recruitment Federation (NRF). Below is a snapshot of some of the key messages from Dublin’s fair city.

Recruiters are transforming lives all over the world

The global recruitment and employment sector helps 56 million people round the world into work and enables 5 million companies to access the staff and skills they need. That's worth shouting about! The industry can lead the way on social innovation, in particular by being at the forefront of key global and national level debates on the future of jobs, good recruitment and inclusion. NRF Chief Executive Geraldine King amplified this positive contribution: "Sustainable growth depends on matching right people to the right employers which is where our industry comes in”.

The global industry is growing despite ongoing challenges

The recruitment industry in North America continues to grow, with turnover up between 4 per cent and 6 per cent in the US, Canada and Mexico. New regulations have come into force in countries like South Africa and China, and national federations around the world are playing a key role in helping their members to influence and implement. Elections in Brazil, Columbia and Mexico could impact on the business and hiring landscape in Latin America. Global recruitment industry leaders are feeding into key debates on retraining, skills and the new world of work. One of the key aims of the World Employment Conference is to help national federations in emerging markets to spread the word about recruitment.

The industry is making change happen on inclusion

Diversity was a big theme in Dublin. Helen Tynan, award-winning Head of People Operations at Google argued that "a diverse mix of voices lead to better discussions, decisions and outcomes for everyone". Peter Cosgrove from the Future of Work Institute made the point that "we shouldn't have to make the business case for diversity”. Progress is being made, and the industry can play a leading role in making further change happen. It was encouraging to see this contribution recognised by Regina Doherty, Minister for Employment and Social Protection: "As the labour market tightens, we need to boost participation of inactive groups".

The future of jobs will create new opportunities for the industry

According to David Collings, Professor of HRM at DCU Business School “80 per cent of CEO’s fear that a lack of key skills will hurt their business”.  Intensifying workforce challenges will mean a more strategic future for the worldwide industry. The economist and author David McWilliams underlined the need to “reward unconventional thinkers in our society”. Innovation will become increasingly key in recruitment as well as other sectors. Let’s give ourselves permission to think unconventionally!  With regards to flexible staffing models, these will become increasingly important but will be driven more by the need for expert talent and agility rather than cost. The industry must remain at the forefront of the future of work debate which is one of the core aims of the REC’s Future of jobs commission.

Technology is driving ongoing change. According to Wendy Murphy HR Director at LinkedIn "76 per cent of hiring managers say they will use more data as part of their hiring process over now next 2 years". The 4^th Industrial Revolution is already upon us and is affecting most sectors, including recruitment. SIA President Barry Asin made the point that "we are seeing a great convergence of traditional recruitment businesses with the pure online marketplace as well as hybrid models".

One final upbeat message from Dublin was that the sheer speed of change will provide a unique opportunity for the global industry to step up and help make sense of these changes. The global recruitment and employment family is up for the challenge!