According to a survey by ManpowerGroup, the human resources giant, 69 per cent of employers around the world said it was difficult to find the right person to fill the vacant position, the highest level in 15 years.
The survey surveyed nearly 45000 employers in 43 countries, and employers in 15 countries, mainly in Europe and North America, reported the highest hiring intentions since the survey began in 1962.
Companies from all the countries surveyed said the hiring outlook at the end of the year was stronger than in the last three months of 2020.
"the continuing talent shortage means that as the economic recovery continues, many companies will give priority to retaining and training employees with the skills needed to succeed," Jonas Prising, chief executive of Manpower Group, said in a statement.
About 40% of the companies surveyed said they attract and retain talent by providing training and skills development. A similar percentage of respondents offered flexible work schedules to attract job seekers. Nearly 1/3 of employers raised wages, while others offered signing bonuses and more holidays.
Incentives vary from industry to industry, with financial services companies most likely to provide training and development and flexible workplaces, while manufacturers usually raise wages or provide more flexible working hours.