The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) has today announced the ‘Future of Jobs commission’, a strategic review to help recruiters and employers prepare for emerging labour market challenges.

The commission is to be chaired by former employment minister and now Member of Parliament for Tatton, The Right Honourable Esther McVey MP.

REC stated that the Future of jobs commission brings together employers, academics and labour market experts, including the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), Nesta, Adecco and Tech City UK. It is tasked with outlining a vision for the UK labour market, exploring existing and emerging challenges, and detailing opportunities for employers and the recruitment industry. It also aims to offer new insight to the UK government about the impact of demographic and technological changes on the jobs market, and to inform policy responses.

The commission will publish its findings in October 2017.

"With the pace of change accelerating, there has never been a more important time to take stock of what a future jobs market might mean for individuals, employers and for policy makers,” McVey said. “As well as looking at big picture issues like technology and demographic change, we want to build a clear view of what changes will mean in practice for the way businesses hire staff, and the way people access the jobs market.

 REC Chief Executive Kevin Green also commented, “Recruiters and their clients are facing seismic changes as they adapt to issues such as Brexit, skills shortages, automation and artificial intelligence. The REC has a history of bringing together leading thinkers to tackle big labour market questions, from youth employment to flexible work. This new commission aims to provide recruiters, employers and policy-makers with clarity and direction so that businesses can plan for the future and continue to thrive.”