The report "Renforcer la capacité des entreprises à recruter" focuses on the issue of employment and skills mismatch in France, presenting an alternative perspective from the traditional focus on the inadequacy of workers' skills to the quality of human resource management practices within companies. The report is divided into three main chapters:
Chapter 1: The French Labor Market from the Perspective of Skill Inadequacy
This chapter explores whether the labor market is underperforming due to skill mismatches. It reviews literature that suggests plans for mass education and increasing diploma levels have had little impact on unemployment rates, and some even suggest these initiatives might worsen the situation for less educated individuals.
Chapter 2: Qualifications vs Competencies
The chapter delves into the distinction between qualifications and competencies, highlighting that there is a weak link between education and employment. It notes that companies prioritize experience and motivation over formal qualifications when hiring, with significant variations across industries, sectors, and territories.
Chapter 3: Understanding Business Human Resource Management Practices
This chapter examines various statistical sources and diagnostic tools to better understand company HR practices, specifically recruitment and training. It reveals that while education level and specialization are not always the primary criteria for hiring, companies often favor experience and motivation. This suggests that difficulties in recruitment or shortages could indicate issues with employers identifying candidates' capabilities rather than a lack of skill alignment.
Conclusion
The report argues that improving the management of human resources can enhance the effectiveness of training programs in boosting employment rates. It calls for a shift away from the traditional "adequacy-focused" approach towards a more comprehensive strategy involving all stakeholders—regional governments, the state, employment agencies, and social partners—to better align with the needs of businesses, considering both initial and continuous training, employment support, and assistance.
The report advocates for greater responsibility and support for businesses in identifying their skill needs and suggests that some industry associations and professional organizations are already taking steps to support their members through tools like local recruitment assistance, HR platforms funded by the state, and similar initiatives. However, it also highlights the need for a broader approach to address the secondary treatment of this responsibility, focusing not just on recruitment but encompassing all stages of human resource management.
