Administration and Office Support roles may seem simple to fill, but the skill sets required to succeed in these jobs are still difficult to find
Talent shortages in the UK’s general labour market may be showing signs of easing – dropping from 80% of surveyed businesses struggling to find the skills they need in 2024 to 76% of firms in 2025 – but the decline in hiring difficulty is far from even. Nor is it only high-level, rare skills that are scarce. Office support skills – typically viewed as low-skill or with low entry requirements – remain persistently difficult to secure.
According to the 2025 Talent Shortage Survey – an in-depth analysis of the UK labour market – Administration & Office Support skills have been among the hardest to find skills over the past five years, rising from an average of 7th most scarce from 2014 to 2019, to reach a peak of second most scarce in 2024.
Administration and Office Support skills have ranked in the top ten most difficult to find since 2014
Source: ManpowerGroup 2025
What is going on? Why are seemingly basic skills so tough to find? The answer is evolution:
The human/tech hybrid
Things aren’t what they used to be. As the landscape of office administration undergoes a generational transformation, so administrative roles are being reshaped, requiring business professionals to adapt by developing new technological proficiencies. Traditional administrative tasks that once required manual effort – such as scheduling, data entry and document management – are now being streamlined through AI-powered tools and automation software.
However, tech alone is not a magic bullet. While AI can handle routine processes, human oversight remains crucial to ensure accuracy, problem-solving and key decision-making – highlighting that despite AI’s growing influence, businesses must still rely on skilled administrative professionals to manage workflows, coordinate teams and maintain operational efficiency. Not only that, but we are now starting to see a resurgence of the importance of the ‘in real life’ experience. Customers increasingly don’t want to only talk to an AI bot. They want human interaction and a smiling face to support their in-person tasks.
In effect, organisations need a human/tech hybrid solution, with employee proficiency in digital collaboration platforms, workflow automation tools and data management software as well as traditional communication and organising skills.
Top five hard skills asked by employers for administration & office support roles:
Computer technology
Hard communication skills
Data analysis
Business writing
Project management
Source: Indeed 2025
Why Admin & Office Support skills are in high demand:
In many cases, office admin workers are the glue that holds the business together:
Operational efficiency: Skilled administrators streamline workflows, manage schedules and handle documentation, ensuring business operations run smoothly.
Project coordination & support: Businesses rely on administrative professionals to oversee deadlines, track progress and ensure compliance with organisational policies.
Customer & stakeholder communication: Office support staff handle inquiries, provide customer service and maintain professional relationships essential for business success.
Hybrid work management: As businesses have increasingly shifted to hybrid models, office support professionals need to coordinate virtual teams, manage digital tools and facilitate seamless communication. On the flipside of this, as many businesses start to reintroduce ‘in real life’ experiences, traditional and high-quality communication skills are crucial.
Technology integration: Administrators are now navigating AI-powered systems, automation tools and data management platforms, increasing efficiency and reducing errors.
Potential outcomes for businesses that cannot secure these skills:
Decreased productivity: Inefficient task management can lead to delays, miscommunication and missed deadlines.
Poor technology adoption: Without tech-savvy administrators, businesses may struggle to implement and maximise digital tools.
Weakened internal coordination: A lack of office support can result in disorganised workflows and reduced team collaboration.
Higher operational costs: Inefficiencies can lead to wasted resources, increased administrative burden on other staff and lower overall performance.
Customer dissatisfaction: Poor communication and response times can harm the customer experience and damage the company's reputation.
Learn more
Deep-dive into the 2025 Talent Shortage Survey to get an inside view of the UK’s skills crisis:
Where the problems hit hardest
What type of organisations are most affected
Why businesses are hiring
What roles are in demand
And much more.
Download your copy of the 2025 Talent Shortage Survey now.
