Beyond HR: Driving Strategic Success

This blog is based on Judicium’s Employment Law ‘Sofa Session’ from 4th June, led by resident expert Paul Luffman, LLB (Hons), L.P.C. The session explored the current challenges in the UK labour market—from skills shortages to recruitment gaps—and how the education sector can play a key role in addressing them. It also examined the shift towards skills-based hiring and what that means for recruitment practices in schools.

The pace of change in today’s workforce is accelerating and has direct implications for the education sector. The discussion focused on three key areas: declining birth rates, the growing impact of AI, and the long-term effects of post-pandemic working models.

Understanding the Evolving UK Workforce Landscape

The UK labour market is in the midst of significant transformation. Technological innovation, shifting worker expectations, and global events are changing how, where, and why people work. Understanding these trends is essential for employers, policymakers, and workers preparing for the future of work. The following factors include:

Skills shortage and Labour market gaps: The UK faces a tight labour market, with high demand for skilled workers.
Rise of the Gig Economy & Flexible Work: Around 4.4 million UK workers (14% of the workforce) were in gig work in 2023. There is a rise in zero hour and non-permanent contracts.
Automation & AI Impact: Jobs in manufacturing, retail, and admin are being automated, while demand for digital skills grows.
Post-Brexit Workforce Dynamics: Reduced EU migration has led to labour shortages in agriculture, hospitality, and healthcare.
Skills-Based Hiring Over Degrees: Employers like Google & IBM are prioritising skills certifications over traditional degrees.
Geopolitical & Economic Uncertainty: Inflation, climate change, and AI regulation will shape future labour markets.

What effect will this have on the UK Education Sector

Education is undergoing a significant transformation as curricula and skill priorities shift to meet future demands. There is a growing emphasis on developing critical thinking skills over those likely to be automated, aligning with the need for future-ready learners. Vocational and technical education, including T-Levels and apprenticeships, is expanding through partnerships with local communities and businesses to provide more practical opportunities. Remote and hybrid learning models are becoming permanent, supported by advances in AI-driven personalized education, virtual reality labs, and gamified learning experiences. 

As AI reaches a tipping point, it plays a disruptive role in education. While offering new tools for learning, it also raises challenges around academic integrity and the assessment of critical thinking, despite AI detection tools. Meanwhile, mental health and wellbeing are becoming integral parts of curricula, with increased focus on mindfulness and resilience training. However, the sector faces mounting pressures from funding cuts, teacher shortages, particularly in STEM and language subjects and ongoing pay disputes. Compounding these challenges is a declining youth population in the UK, with falling birth rates leading to fewer 18-year-olds by 2030 and anticipated enrolment drops.

Three Top Tips to Prepare Your School

Embrace Scenario Planning

Treat strategic planning like curriculum planning: look at the data you have now but also think ahead. Ask, “What if?” Be proactive rather than reactive, especially when it comes to navigating the impact of AI. 

Conduct Skills Mapping

Identify the core competencies of your staff considering not just what they can do now, but where and when those skills will be most needed. With AI expected to cause major shifts in the next 6–18 months, recruitment will increasingly focus on practical skills over traditional qualifications.

Build Stronger External Partnerships

While partnerships within trusts and MATs remain important, expanding collaboration with local businesses and community groups is key. These connections help students develop real-world skills and can support income diversification—especially critical as schools face tighter budgets.

Judicium's Strategic Planning Service can help you

Every school and trust faces challenges, and to provide the specific guidance you need, our Strategic HR Support Service has been designed to support individual schools or a Multi-Academy Trust.

At Judicium we understand that every client is different. We offer in depth analysis to determine gaps in your system for now and the future. With the quick evolving UK workforce landscape, we promise to offer flexible, expert-led support to help you gain clarity, strengthen workforce sustainability, and implement HR strategies that deliver real results. Whilst we do all the heavy lifting, you can focus on the running of your school.

Judicium Education's HR and Employment Law Supports over 3,000 schools and academy trusts in all regions of the country. Our proactive approach to HR and Employment Law ensures you always understand your options and achieve your desired outcomes. For more information, please visit here.

We also offer bespoke HR and employment Law options and eLearning packages.

If you require any support in any of these steps or would like to talk to someone surrounding some support for your school, please do not hesitate to call us on 0345 548 7000 or email georgina.decosta@judicium.com.

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