3 Effective Ways to Bridge UK Skill Gaps in Your Organization

McKinsey reports that 87% of companies have skill gaps, and by 2025, half of the UK workforce will need reskilling.

As UK businesses aim to attract top talent for faster growth and to fill skill gaps, remote hiring—both globally and domestically—has become a popular strategy. This allows companies to tap into a wide range of candidates from around the world for key positions.

However, with the newly elected Labour Party intent on reducing the UK’s dependence on foreign workers while addressing local skill shortages, some businesses may be concerned about the implications for their talent acquisition.

To support talent managers, here are three ways to overcome skill shortages with international talent.

1. Provide more remote work opportunities

An increasing number of workers are opting away from living and working in the UK, with many choosing to stay in their home countries or relocate to other European nations that offer more flexible visa policies.

Deel’s recent mobility report shows that the UK ranks fourth in employee visa applications, trailing behind the UAE, the Netherlands, and France.

To bridge skill gaps, UK companies must prioritize remote working. The global job market is witnessing a rise in remote talent as more employees opt for remote and hybrid work arrangements.

By tapping into the global talent pool, UK businesses can draw in specialists with unique skills and diverse perspectives, which in turn fosters innovation and growth.

See also: 2025 Guide On Hiring And Managing Remote Workers

2. Attract and retain international talent

Attracting and retaining international talent goes beyond offering competitive salaries. Companies should foster an inclusive culture that values diversity, encourages growth, and supports work-life balance.

LinkedIn’s Global Talent Trends report highlights that employees are more likely to stay with a company that offers career advancement. Providing opportunities for professional development is key to long-term employee retention.

Using recruitment and onboarding technology can improve the experience for remote workers. Giving them the right resources, a solid IT setup, and regular virtual check-ins is important to help them feel connected.

Additionally, offering flexible work options and being mindful of different time zones is crucial in a global setting. Companies that embrace these differences will likely see higher employee satisfaction and retention.

See also: 8 Tips to Find and Hire Remote International Talent

Another challenge is ensuring a consistent company culture among diverse, remote teams. Regular communication and team-building activities can help close cultural gaps and create a sense of belonging.

Collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom facilitate real-time teamwork through virtual whiteboards, project management features, and analytics. Google Workspace enhances this with real-time document editing and video conferencing, improving overall workflow and decision-making.

See also: Boosting Remote Collaboration: Tips, Strategies, and Tools

3. Streamline global hiring

Attracting remote global talent is one thing, but compliantly hiring it is another. Overcoming different countries’ legal and regulatory requirements can be challenging. Companies must follow local labor laws, tax rules, and employment standards.

To tackle these challenges, organizations can partner with an Employer of Record (EOR). An EOR enables companies to seamlessly hire and work with employees, either domestically or internationally, without the need to establish a legal presence or navigate complex compliance requirements in the employee’s country.

Deel offers reliable and secure EOR services in over 150 countries. There's no need to establish a legal entity; we’ll efficiently hire and onboard employees for you. Our comprehensive platform integrates payroll, tax, and compliance solutions, simplifying the entire process for your business.

See also: Best Employer of Record 2024: Insights from the G2 EOR Report

Bridge skill shortages with Deel

Deel is everything your organization needs to hire, pay, and manage a global workforce. With our all-in-one platform, you can:

• Pay anyone, anywhere, in minutes
• Expand your team and hire globally
• Consolidate your HR operations
• Simplify, speed up, and scale global IT operations
• Set your team up for success with performance tools
• Attract and retain talent with immigration support

Sound like the ideal solution? Book 30 minutes with a product expert to get your questions answered.

This article was originally published on Staffing Industry Analysis: How can businesses unlock talent across borders effectively?