Skills shortages mean that almost four in 10 (38%) employers are struggling to find workers, according to research by recruitment firm Manpower.

The survey of more than 1,800 UK employers found that skilled manual workers, administrative assistants and PAs, engineers and sales representatives were the most difficult roles to fill.

Management and executive roles were also reported to be harder to fill than in 2006.

Mark Cahill, managing director of Manpower UK said: “Encouragingly, the number of employers reporting difficulties filling positions shows a slight improvement on last year’s result (42%), but finding the right staff remains a significant issue for many organisations today – irrespective of size or location.”

He recommended employers take “a flexible approach” to recruitment needs, such as using temporary staff, older workers and mothers returning to work or looking to staff from outside the UK.

Employers also needed to reassess benefits packages and training opportunities, he said.