What the general election result might mean for marketing employability according to the conservative manifesto
The election is over and the results are in. The UK for better or worse is now officially governed by a propped-up conservative majority, which understandably might leave most voters wondering what the future might hold for the country, especially for people working in job sectors affected heavily by uncertainty such as marketing. That’s why we’ve decided to outline some predictions based entirely on the pledges that the conservatives have made in their manifesto.
A possible solution to the marketing skills shortage in years to come
It is widely acknowledged that the UK has a skills shortage within marketing, resulting in a demand for talented individuals who have the digital based skills required to ensure that businesses remain relevant in this technologic age. However, if the conservatives have their way this could look to change in the coming years, due to planned reforms to the frameworks of technical education. They hope to make this possible by allowing 16-year-olds to choose a technical education instead of the standard academic one, replacing 13,000 existing technical qualifications with brand new T-levels across subjects such a creative, design and digital, amongst others. If this comes to pass then we could very well see this long-standing skills gap gradually close over the next few years as these qualifications become the norm, which arguably would be a positive thing for both candidates and clients alike, in the short term at least.
More digital training for those in or returning to work in marketing
Following the digital theme throughout their manifesto, the conservatives have also pledged to offer learning and training for employees in or returning to work. This also could have major relevance to the skill gap within marketing, giving employers the option to train up the digital expertise of their current workforce in line with the growing dominance that technology has within the day-to-day mechanics of modern day marketing. This obviously has positive implications for those already employed in marketing firms looking to improve themselves and their employability, but over time this could equally lower demand for individuals looking to start a career in areas such as digital marketing.
More immigrants with necessary skills will be invited to work in the UK
Another way in which the government intends to close this skills gap in marketing is to explore the option of offering more visas to foreign workers in strategically-important sectors, such as digital focused careers. With immigration being such a sensitive topic in contemporary politics this might seem like quite a surprising pledge from the conservatives, which might explain their efforts to offset this decision by doubling the immigration skills charge levied against companies that employ migrant workers, with a view to invest the revenue generated back into higher skills training. Therefore, it’s difficult to determine how this will affect the amount of marketing opportunities available in the UK at first, but the long-term goal certainly appears to be a further closing of a skills gap in digital based professions.
Less uncertainty for bigger business should restore confidence in hiring
Regardless of your political opinion, it is safe to say that generally a conservative government tends to favour the interests of larger businesses, which you could argue is the party’s greatest strength and weakness amongst voters. Despite the differing views on the topic, the truth is a conservative government for many larger businesses eliminates a lot of the uncertainty that they had over the substantial changes proposed by labour to their taxes. This would certainly explain why recruitment agency data found that the demand for jobs in the city flat-lined ahead of the election. Therefore, if the market is taking the view of it is better the devil you know, then the odds are that this hold on hiring decisions should gradually lift as the dust of the election settles.
More digital companies could equal more digital marketing jobs
Anyone who has read the conservative manifesto can attest that a big focus for them this election was the future of digital in the UK. Detailed in their digital charter our plans to both regulate and promote the country’s evolving relationship with technology. One of their pledges relating to this is more early-stage investment and upscaling of digital and online companies, with the belief that Britain’s future prosperity will be built on its technical capability and creative flair. This ultimately could result in the birth of many new digital based companies, which in time could lead to more jobs for digital marketing professionals.
But time will tell…
Although the predictions above are based entirely on what is written in the conservative manifesto, it is still entirely debatable how or if the above policies will be implemented now or in the future. The outcome of a hung government and an unplanned coalition could impede much of the conservatives plans, especially during the Brexit talks to come. However, if the promises of the sitting government are to be believed then the digital side of the marketing sector could very well be on track for some major changes, which could soon fill a skills gap that has gone largely unaddressed up until now.
