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Public sectors workers 'lack skills', survey says

  • Publish Date: Posted 21 February 2011
  • Author: AP Executive

​Individuals who are leaving the public sector and looking for private sector employment in areas such as banking jobs may struggle to be noticed.

This is according to a study carried out by Barclays Corporate and the Financial Times that found many companies would be wary about hiring those from such backgrounds.

More than half of employers who responded to the survey said they were unlikely to consider those from the public sector, with most believing that such staff would be ill-equipped to adapt to new roles.

However, managing director at Barclays Corporate Kevin Wall warned against this line of thinking, saying it is a dangerous strategy.

"It reflects a prejudice in people's minds that risks them not hiring people who can actually give them a hell of a lot," he explained.

Recently, a study by the Recruitment and Employment Confederation found that one in four companies in the private sector will be looking to increase their headcount this year.