The Institute of Directors (IoD) Scotland has found that its members are conscious of a significant skill gap, with 44% not believing they have the right number of skilled people for their current jobs.
The inaugural State of the Nation Directors Survey also reinforced a clear need for rapid professional development and training, as 35% of respondents did not feel confident they can recruit people with the right skills this year.
The survey of cross-sector directors showed that 79% stated they believe the primary role of the Scottish Government is to ensure the ‘efficient delivery of public services, ensuring skilled workforce and effective regulation of the market’.
Most directors agreed that they are reasonably taxed, with 65% noting that their business taxes are fair, while 58% of respondents believe that their personal tax rate is fair, and 53% of those asked think local taxation is fair.
Investment in professional development remains very important for IoD Scotland members, both personally (83%) and for their employees (78%).
Louise Macdonald, national director at the IoD Scotland, said: “The past two years have been a turbulent time for directors in every type of business and organisation.
“These findings provide valuable insight into an important time when organisations and their directors are seeking to recover from the pandemic’s grasp.
“While leaders take an optimistic view of the future, we need to take their concern about the challenges around a skills gap seriously,” she continued, adding: “We must particularly consider support for those directors who don’t believe they will be able to recruit the right skills in 2022, and all these findings will inform our ongoing work as we support directors in communities across Scotland.”
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