Member Article

Digitally enabled employment screening that puts the candidate first will be crucial in tackling skills shortages

As skills shortages continue to impact the UK labour market, having digitally enabled background screening checks in place that deliver the best possible experience for candidates will be crucial for businesses across every sector. That’s according to specialist background screening and identity services firm, Sterling.

Sterling has highlighted that with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) reporting a continued increase in vacancy numbers at a time when unemployment levels are dropping, the efficiencies in the screening process need to be top of the priority list for recruitment teams over the year ahead.

According to the firm, the planned introduction of digital identity checks announced by the Disclosure and Barring Service will support quicker and more efficient screening that reduces the potential for fraud and provides a more positive experience for candidates. But integrating this seamlessly with pre-existing systems will be needed for employers to truly reap the rewards.

Steve Smith, Managing Director EMEA at Sterling, commented:

“The background screening process is too often viewed as just a tick box exercise when in fact, it is a crucial part of both the talent acquisition and onboarding process – and it needs to be equally as important as any other candidate touch point. With skills shortages rife across the UK, businesses simply cannot afford to lose prospective new hires in complex compliance processes. While the pandemic has had a severe impact on the labour market, it has also had a positive effect, with the progress made in digital identity checks a clear step in the right direction for the market.

“What recruitment teams will need to do as we enter the New Year, though, is ensure that they have processes which enable a streamlined integration of digital screening with existing systems. Here at Sterling, we’re constantly investing in advanced technology. We own and control automated fulfilment technology so we can provide end-to-end solutions and our platform can integrate with hundreds of ATS and HRIS systems. We also have a direct integration with the DBS to streamline as much as possible for the candidate. Connecting all the dots using technology in the screening process will help employers deliver the best possible candidate experience and attract the resources they need over the course of this year and beyond.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sterling .