RECRUITING continues to be a challenge for Dorset Council – with some experienced staff having decided to call it a day during or immediately after the Covid period.

Latest figures from the authority show a headcount of 4,800 with more than 30per cent of the workforce now aged 50-59 with 11per cent 60-64 and almost 6 per cent over 65.

Head of human resources Chris Matthews has told councillors that after some turbulence during Covid the workforce is now largely static with a turnover of just under 12per cent, not considered unusual in large organisations.

He says that sickness rates have also fallen, to an average of 8 days a year, with the organisation being positively rated by most staff as a good place to work.

Mr Matthews says that high house prices in Dorset present a challenge to recruitment, as does national skill shortages in some job areas, although hybrid working methods has meant that some postholders have no need to live in the county and are able to work online from almost anywhere.

As part of the council's 'grow your own' strategy the authority now has 230 apprentices, across all departments, amounting to almost 5 per cent of the workforce with a careers event planned in March to persuade local school and college leavers that the council is be a good place to start a career.