IECSEP: Your Gateway to Career Opportunities in Australia for UK Professionals

What’s Holding HR Back from Formal AI Adoption? AI use in HR is increasing across the UK. In 2025, 66% of professionals said they have used tools like ChatGPT to write policies, generate job descriptions or support internal communications. Despite this, only 3.6% of HR departments have formally integrated AI into their systems and processes. This informal use may seem practical, but it highlights a growing divide between experimentation and long-term strategy. Without formal adoption, organisations risk falling behind in areas like recruitment efficiency, data governance and candidate experience. A Lack of Time and Resources The most common reason HR professionals give for delaying AI adoption is a lack of time. Many teams are already stretched with administrative responsibilities and see AI integration as a project that requires more capacity than they currently have. Liz Jones, Recruitment Director at people2people UK, says the concern is valid but short-sighted. “We see time cited as the biggest barrier,” says Jones. “But formalising AI use actually saves time long-term. The our people2people 2025 UK Employment Trends Report shows that teams using integrated AI tools reduce administrative workload by up to 23 percent. That’s a significant gain for any HR function.” Skills and Confidence Gaps A second challenge is the skills gap. Many HR teams are unsure how to assess AI tools or ensure they are being used fairly and effectively. Without training, professionals are left guessing whether the tools they are using are making sound decisions. “Confidence is a real issue,” Jones adds. “According to our report, fewer than one in three HR professionals feel confident evaluating AI outputs. That means the majority are using tools without fully understanding how they work, or how to manage bias and risk.” This gap can create inconsistency across hiring, performance reviews and internal policies. It also limits HR’s ability to lead digital transformation initiatives. The Policy Disconnect Only a third of UK organisations have formal policies in place to manage AI use in HR. This lack of structure exposes companies to legal and ethical risk. As AI becomes more embedded in decision-making processes, clear policies will be essential. “Our report found that organisations with AI policies in place saw higher levels of trust from both employees and candidates,” says Jones. “Without those guardrails, even well-meaning use can go wrong. Formal guidance protects both the business and its people.” Recruitment Implications AI is already transforming recruitment, from automating CV screening to helping personalise outreach. But without structure and oversight, these tools can reinforce bias and exclude strong candidates. This is especially important as the UK faces a downturn in graduate hiring. According to People Management, graduate openings have dropped to their lowest level in seven years, with AI partially to blame. “Hiring fewer entry-level roles does not mean less work,” says Jones. “It means that teams need to be smarter with how they assess and engage candidates. Formal AI adoption helps ensure that recruitment remains inclusive, consistent and aligned with business goals.” Moving Forward Formal adoption of AI does not need to be complex. The key is to start with simple, structured steps such as: Using HR platforms that include integrated AI tools Creating internal guidelines to support ethical and consistent use Providing training in AI literacy and bias awareness Reviewing AI-supported decisions with human oversight  The tools are already being used. The question is whether HR teams will take the lead in making their use strategic, secure and fair. Those that do will be better placed to support their people, meet compliance expectations and stay competitive in a changing labour market.

Why AI Won’t Steal Your Accounting Job, But It Will Change It AI is making waves across finance and accounting, with over 75% of Australian financial firms already using or integrating automation into operations. As adoption grows, so does the speculation, will AI replace human workers? The answer is more nuanced. While automation is speeding up processes and enhancing accuracy, it isn’t wiping out roles. Rather, it’s transforming them. Automation: Evolution, Not Extinction AI has reached the point where it can generate financial reports, flag anomalies, and even draft basic client communications. But, as history shows, the introduction of new technology often expands job scopes rather than eliminating them. This echoes recent findings from the UK, where graduate job openings have dropped to their lowest level in seven years. According to our people2people Market Report 2025, AI is a key contributor, but not for the reasons you might think. It's less about eliminating jobs, and more about reshaping entry-level expectations. What Recruiters Are Seeing on the Ground “Entry-level hiring is absolutely shifting,” says Liz Jones, a recruiter specialising in UK finance roles. “Firms want new grads who can do more than process data. They want relationship builders, critical thinkers and candidates with the emotional intelligence AI lacks.” This aligns with UK trends from the latest people2people market data: hiring remains steady for strategic and advisory roles, while junior roles are becoming more project-based or part-time. Personalisation at Scale Another area where AI shines is communication. Instead of sending the same generic tax update to hundreds of clients, firms can now generate personalised messages based on client behaviour and context. “Hyper-personalisation is a game-changer,” Liz adds. “It means client managers can spend more time advising and less time drafting emails. It’s a win-win—and it’s here now.” The Cloud Divide The biggest barrier to AI adoption in accounting isn’t fear, it’s outdated systems. Cloud-based platforms are the backbone of AI integration, and firms that haven’t modernised their tech stacks are falling behind. “Based on our UK research, firms still relying on on-premise systems are 2x more likely to delay hiring for AI-enhanced roles,” Liz notes. “It’s not about willingness, it’s about readiness.” Looking Ahead Rather than eliminating roles, AI is carving out new opportunities. Accountants are moving from number-crunchers to consultants, focusing more on strategic guidance, risk analysis, and business growth. And for recruiters like Liz, this shift brings clarity: “Firms aren’t hiring fewer people, they’re hiring differently. If you’re adaptable, tech-savvy, and can build strong client relationships, your value in this market is only increasing.”

As businesses continue to navigate economic uncertainty, temporary and contract hiring has emerged as a flexible and strategic solution in the United Kingdom. With companies needing to adapt quickly to shifting market conditions, this hiring model is proving increasingly relevant. Temporary roles are no longer just short-term fixes; they are playing a significant role in long-term talent strategies. According to Maddy Laing, Senior Recruitment Consultant at people2people, this hiring shift is being driven by caution around long-term commitments. "When businesses aren't sure about what the next few months look like, committing to a permanent role does sometimes feel like too much. That's when a temporary contract hire comes in." "Temps can be brought in really quickly, often within a day or even a couple of hours" In today’s landscape, agility is everything. Temp staff help businesses respond rapidly to seasonal demands, cover long-term absences like maternity leave, or support project-based work. Financially, this approach often proves cost-effective—companies only pay for the hours worked, avoiding many of the additional expenses tied to permanent roles. Host Liz Jones, UK Managing Director at people2people, explores both sides of the temp hiring equation. On the business side, it’s about flexibility, fast onboarding, and lower risk. For job seekers, it’s about opportunities to gain skills, expand networks, and even transition to permanent employment. Laing points out that despite the hesitation some candidates feel about temporary roles, the experience gained can be a major career booster. "You get the chance to build new skills, work in a different environment, work for a different team or company and learn new systems as well," she says. "That kind of experience can really make a difference in the long term and make you more marketable for permanent roles." Some temporary roles also offer higher pay due to urgent needs or niche skill requirements. And in many cases, exceptional temporary employees are offered permanent positions when companies want to retain their talent. For recruitment agencies, strong performers are often placed repeatedly across valued client accounts. Flexibility is another key advantage. For those between permanent jobs or seeking work-life balance, temporary roles offer the freedom to work for a few months and then take a break. And with longer placements, many temp workers receive the same benefits as permanent staff, including the possibility of remote work. As Laing summarises, "Versatile, efficient, and often comes with a lot of big opportunities. That's probably the most impressive thing we always see with temp and contract work."  In today’s dynamic market, overlooking temporary and contract roles might mean missing out on valuable career and business opportunities. Whether you’re an employer looking to stay agile or a job seeker navigating a transitional period, this hiring model offers real value and potential.

In today's rapidly evolving UK job market, businesses are re-evaluating how they approach hiring. With economic shifts, digital transformation, and workplace flexibility becoming more prevalent, temporary hiring is emerging not as a short-term fix, but as a strategic tool for long-term growth. On a recent PTP Live episode, host Hannah Slee and guest Maddy Laing, Senior Recruitment Consultant at people2people, discussed this very shift. The conversation focused on dismantling outdated myths around temp roles and spotlighting how companies can use them as a powerful workforce strategy. "Temp hires today can be a really big strategic fix" Temporary roles have traditionally been seen as a last resort—a bandaid solution to cover staff absences or urgent vacancies. But as Laing explains, the game has changed. "Because of massive changes around economic uncertainty, new regulations, even AI and digital transformations, the way temporary hires are looked at is really evolving." These roles now often bring in skilled consultants, project leads, and industry experts who opt for temp work due to the flexibility and variety it offers. Businesses are also using temp hiring as a way to test new positions or headcounts without the risk of permanent commitment. In effect, temp staff provide not only capacity but also fresh perspectives and innovation. Slee adds, "Temp talent isn't just a safety net. It's really a competitive advantage." Companies can onboard quickly, scale up efficiently during peak periods, and stay agile in times of change—all without the overheads associated with permanent roles. Moreover, the quality of temp candidates has seen a significant uplift. As Laing notes, "The quality of temp work and the quality of temp hires and jobs has also really changed for the positive." Far from being a fallback, temporary work can drive significant value and often leads to longer-term opportunities. Another rising trend is using temp roles as a pipeline for permanent hires. When a temporary employee proves to be a great fit, many businesses are keen to retain them permanently, turning a short-term solution into a long-term asset. Businesses that continue to view temp hires as a last resort may find themselves missing out on talent, efficiency, and adaptability. The smartest organisations are already integrating flexible hiring into their broader strategy, recognising that these professionals can fill immediate needs while fuelling innovation and growth. As Laing summarises, "If you're still thinking of temp hires as a last resort, then I definitely think you're really missing out on a lot of potential."  In a job market where 72% of professionals are considering a job change, it's clear that flexibility and strategic hiring are more important than ever. Whether you're navigating transformation, covering a gap, or planning for growth, now is the time to rethink the role of temporary staff in your business.