Hays and LCCI Reveal the Private Sector Needs Government Support

LONDON, May 19, 2011 - Hays, the leading recruiting expert, and The London Chamber of Commerce
and Industry (LCCI) have partnered to produce a report called "The Challenges
of transition: from public to private".

As the government's cost cutting measures continue to impact on workers,
more needs to be done to support workers through the transition to the
private sector, according to the new report.

Around 330,000 people are expected to lose their public sector jobs over
the next four years. While both sectors have many similarities, the
perceptions the sectors have about each other could limit the ability of
ex-public sector employees to quickly return to the labour market thereby
risking longer term joblessness.

Through this report, which surveyed the views of public sector employees
and private sector employers, the LCCI and Hays have identified six critical
steps to ensure the successful transition of the workforce from the public to
the private sector: encourage better understanding; incentivise the private
sector; identify regional skills gaps; review onboarding procedures; enhance
existing support programmes; and promote self-reliance and resourcefulness.

Mark Staniland, director at Hays, said: "As the government cuts begin to
take effect there is a growing pressure on the private sector to create new
jobs. There is no doubt that public sector employees have many skills in need
right across the private sector. However, it is unreasonable to believe that
transferring a large proportion of the workforce will not need specialist
help to progress smoothly. The government must act now and put provisions in
place to support the workers and both sectors need to work together to make
sure the skills available are used to their full advantage."

Colin Stanbridge, chief executive of the LCCI, added: "We hope this
report will make a meaningful contribution to this important debate, which
in turn will help get people in to new jobs while giving a shot in the arm
to the London and UK economies. In the months to come there will be many
talented individuals from the public sector coming on to the job market which
is a great opportunity for employers looking to bring in new skills and ideas
to their business."

Notes to editors:

The LCCI and Hays each undertook quantitative and qualitative research in
the public and private sectors. The quantitative results represent the views
(canvassed online) of 1,435 public-sector employees and 348 private sector
employers, the majority of which are based in London and the South East.

About Hays:

Hays plc is the leading global specialist recruitment group. It is market
leader in the UK and Australia, and one of the market leaders in Continental
Europe. As at 31 December 2010, the Group employed 7,086 staff operating from
257 offices in 30 countries across 17 specialisms. These specialisms cover a
range of opportunities including labouring jobs
(www.hays.co.uk/enhance-your-career/construction-jobs/labouring-jobs/),
marketing jobs, quantity surveying jobs
(www.hays.co.uk/enhance-your-career/construction-jobs/cost-management-quantity-surveying-jobs/),
PA jobs (www.hays.co.uk/enhance-your-career/pa-secretarial-jobs/),
health and safety jobs
(www.hays.co.uk/enhance-your-career/health-safety-jobs/) and
facilities management jobs
(www.hays.co.uk/enhance-your-career/facilities-management-jobs/).

(Due to the length of the above URL, it may be necessary to copy and
paste this hyperlink into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove
the space if one exists.)

About London Chamber of Commerce and Industry:

The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) is the capital's
largest and most representative business organisation, with members ranging
in size from multi-national companies to SMEs and sole traders.

    For further press information please contact:

    Claire Fowler
    Hays
    2nd Floor
    Stockley House
    130 Wilton Road
    London
    SW1V 1LQ
    +44(0)20-7259-8821
    www.hays.co.uk

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