NICRE – April 2024
Living in rural England can be far from idyllic. There is a lack of affordable housing, the cost of living is high, and travel is problematic. A serious consequence of this is the difficulty rural businesses have in attracting and retaining workers. This is of concern, given the significant contribution rural businesses make to the national economy.
Research in the Derbyshire Peak District found that ‘natural’ capital – that is, the beauty and amenities of the countryside – could underpin a place-based approach to attracting and retaining workers. It also identified that by working together, local government, academics, business support organisations and employers could co-create innovative solutions to help solve staffing challenges. It found that novel person centred employment practices increased staff satisfaction and hence worker retention.