Evaluate the significance of workforce planning to FE's future success.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (Feb/Mar 2020). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [K] Analysing and forecasting the numbers of workers and the skill of workers that will be required by FE to achieve its objectives
2. [K] Part of HRM – the effective management of organisations workers to gain competitive advantage.
3. [K] Workforce audit
4. [APP] Reference to engineer shortages
5. [APP] Reference to the long training time for engineers
6. [APP] Use of overtime by FE
7. [APP] FE's expansion plans and workforce planning
8. [AN] If FE doesn't have sufficient engineers then it will result in dissatisfied customers leading to a loss of sales
9. [AN] Maintenance contracts may include clauses for financial penalties if work is delayed
10. [AN] Costs will increase if FE is always using overtime as rates of pay likely to be higher
11. [AN] Increased pressure on staff due to lack of employees can lead to an increase in labour turnover and therefore increase FE costs
12. [AN] Expansion of factory / building of new factory will require new workers to be recruited. Identifying skills and numbers needed will increase efficiency of the expansion and prevent bottlenecks.
13. [EVAL] Workforce planning is necessary but not sufficient to ensure success.
14. [EVAL] Workforce planning is just part of the HR function. Workers need to be motivated to contribute their most to the business.
15. [EVAL] Only effective if it is linked in closely to firm's long-term objective