The Right People Will Drive Growth for Scottish Businesses

Scottish SMEs are facing a challenging economic environment, but there are encouraging signs that investment in people remains firmly on the agenda.

New research from Armstrong Watson highlights some interesting trends across Scotland’s family, privately owned and owner-managed businesses, particularly around recruitment, skills and future growth.

While 63% of businesses surveyed reported difficulties recruiting, 77% of those struggling pointed to a lack of suitably skilled candidates as the main issue. Meanwhile, 48% identified having the right people in place as one of their biggest barriers to growth over the next three years.

From a recruitment perspective, these figures present an interesting opportunity.

Businesses increasingly recognise that having the right skills and expertise in their teams is essential to remaining competitive, improving productivity and supporting long-term growth.

There’s also a growing focus on technology, with AI adoption among respondents almost doubling over the past year, rising from 23% to 44%. As businesses look to embrace new technologies and improve efficiencies, demand for specialist skills across Data, AI, Software Engineering and IT is likely to remain an important part of their plans.

The opportunity for Scottish businesses

Despite ongoing cost pressures, investing in the right people shouldn’t be viewed simply as another business expense. The right hire can bring new capabilities, improve processes, unlock efficiencies and help businesses achieve their wider ambitions.

For employers, getting ahead of recruitment planning, identifying skills gaps and accessing the right talent will be key to making the most of the opportunities ahead.

At Cathcart Technology, we’re continuing to see the importance Scottish businesses place on securing specialist technology talent.

The takeaway?

The businesses that invest in the right people today will be better positioned to grow tomorrow.

At Cathcart Technology, we help businesses across Scotland find and secure the specialist technology talent they need to grow. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your Data, AI, Software Engineering, ERP or wider IT teams, we can help you find the right people to move your business forward.