Demand for HR professionals will increase in 2015, as employers realise they need to invest in attracting, retaining and developing staff as the economy improves.  According to new research by Hays, the specialist recruiter, 70% of employers plan to recruit in the year ahead and 61% of employers plan to move jobs, creating new opportunities and challenges for HR.

Many HR professionals plan to take advantage of these opportunities and move in the year ahead, 58% plan to move jobs in the next 12 months and 36% in the next six months.

Barney Ely, Director at Hays Human Resources, comments:

“The potential for HR to influence and drive business strategy has never been stronger as employers realise they need to invest in the right staff as the economy improves. Experienced and talented HR professionals are in a strong position to negotiate pay and benefits in 2015, whether in their current role or a new job.

We are seeing demand for strong HR generalists as well as specialists in recruitment, reward and learning and development, across all sectors and types of organisation. Within the public sector experience in change management, organisational development and employee relations is still much sought after, particularly on an interim basis.”

Top 5 HR skills in demand for 2015:

  • ·         Learning and development professionals with delivery and strategy experience
  • ·         HR business partners with business and commercial understanding
  • ·         Permanent reward specialists with a finance background
  • ·         Systems and sales trainers, particularly in distribution and manufacturing
  • ·         Resourcers and recruiters with project management and recruitment system experience

 

 

 

 

Charles Staples is an editorial assistant at HRreview.