Global employers are encountering hiring difficulties, according to a new survey.

In news that may be if interest to recruiters looking to outsource back office services to an agency, new research has revealed that global employers are encountering hiring difficulties.

According to data published by international recruiter Manpower, nearly one third of employers (31 per cent) report difficulties when it comes to filling key positions within their organisations.

The company's fifth annual Talent Shortage Survey of 35,000 employers across 36 countries found that talent is "everywhere yet nowhere".

Candidates for skilled trades, sales representatives, technicians and engineers continue being elusive as employers have struggled to fill these jobs for the past four years.

"Employers have gotten more specific about the combination of skill sets that they are looking for," explained Jeffrey Joerres, Manpower chairman and chief executive.

Recruiters will be glad to hear that companies in Ireland and other destinations, including Switzerland, Australia, New Zealand, China and Singapore, are hiring, according to a recent survey by Berkley.