“Almost every organisation says they can’t find the skills they need. But too many are focused on hiring oven-ready employees … and they don’t exist.”
Context
Peter Cheese, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), made this comment at a recent Houses of Parliament launch of the UK Hiring Taskforce, addressing one of the most persistent challenges facing UK employers: the growing mismatch between job vacancies and the skills available in the labour market.
The quote comes as the CIPD continues to urge employers to rethink their approach to recruitment, calling for greater investment in upskilling, reskilling and internal development. Rather than chasing external hires who tick every box, Cheese argues, organisations need to create pathways for people to grow into roles.
His remarks reflect the CIPD’s long-standing concern that business expectations have not kept pace with changes in the world of work, particularly the demand for new digital, technical and interpersonal skills.
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Meaning
Cheese’s quote highlights a flawed assumption in many hiring strategies: that somewhere out there exists the perfect, fully trained candidate who can be slotted seamlessly into a role.
In reality, very few jobs — especially in fast-moving industries — have static or one-dimensional skill requirements. The concept of the “oven-ready” employee is a myth, and waiting for one to appear is both inefficient and short-sighted.
The message is not just about hiring differently but also about thinking differently: seeing recruitment as one part of a broader workforce strategy that includes internal mobility, learning investment and long-term capability building.
Implications
For HR professionals, Cheese’s statement serves as a reminder that skills shortages will not be resolved by intensifying recruitment efforts alone.
Instead, organisations should:
- Broaden their candidate criteria to focus on potential and adaptability
- Invest meaningfully in training, apprenticeships and internal career progression
- Align workforce planning with future capability needs, not just immediate gaps
As the UK continues to grapple with labour market tightness and digital transformation, experts say employers that thrive will be those who stop hunting for finished products, and start building talent from within.
