Survey: Employers Fear Drop in Skilled Work Force
By Cari Merrill
For Loveland Connection (Colorado)
November 20, 2008
The Workforce Survey Report from the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corp. and CSU’s Office of Economic Development found that, of the 147 employer responses, about half expect challenges in finding a qualified work force with a strong work ethic.
Most companies are willing to train workers, the report said, but need and want employees who know how to work and think critically.
“One of the things that continues to stand out in the survey … is the need for more soft skills,” said Kathy Gilliland, director of the Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative.
That includes critical thinking and problem solving skills as well as the ability to communicate on a variety of levels.
From these results, the report recommended Gilliland and others implement an organized strategic plan for work force development, one that will include better communication between educators and businesses to teach the skills required for the next-generation work force.
“Unfortunately, many school administrators, teachers and counselors are not fully attuned to the daily challenges many businesses face and how these businesses rely on all of their workers to meet these challenges,” the report said.
The Northern Colorado Workforce Initiative already has started creating a plan.
