Big four firms notice skills gaps among pandemic graduates

Deloitte and PwC are having to give extra training to new hires who spent large parts of their education remote working due to Covid-19 lockdowns, as the firms discovered that they struggle with communication and teamwork tasks, The Guardian has reported. 

The firms offered newer recruits training on skills such as giving face-to-face presentations and participating in in-person meetings, as these employers believe these skills may have been neglected during the pandemic. 

This comes as recent university graduates had large parts of their tuition affected by lockdowns, preventing face-to-face learning and socialising. 

The Guardian also reported that, while the impact on students’ mental health at the time is well documented, some researchers also expressed concerns that young people have been left with gaps in their skills sets.

Big Four accounting firms, which also include EY and KPMG, provide some of the largest graduate recruitment schemes that hire thousands of postgraduate students every year. 

Ian Elliott, the chief people officer at PwC UK, said: “It’s wholly understandable that students who missed out on face-to-face activities during Covid may now be stronger in certain fields, such as working independently, and less confident in others, such as presentations to groups. 

“It’s something we’re noticing but recent joiners are also telling us themselves. They’re keen for more support.”

Jackie Henry, Deloitte’s UK managing partner for people and purpose, told The Guardian that she was seeing more younger workers seeking to delay professional exams – for which accountants study while working – because of stress. 

Henry said: “There’s a greater need for employers to provide training on basic professional and working skills, that wasn’t necessary in prior years.”

Deloitte has brought in a new induction programme and training on conducting presentations and building professional networks, while another PwC initiative looks to encourage senior partners and directors to “identify more moments every day to involve junior staff”.