Finding skilled labor – a major concern for employers.
According to the latest report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of open jobs in the United States continues to exceed the number of job seekers. Students are not just lacking technical skills, but there is also a persistent “soft skills” gap.
While many of the most glaring issues arise in high school, the post-secondary education system is falling short too. In a survey of 879 college-educated job seekers and business decision makers, 57% said that they are not working in a profession that “aligns” with their education. The survey was conducted in July 2019 through Express Employment Professionals’ “Express Refresh Leadership and Job Journey” blogs. Based on input from Express franchise owners, local workforce experts and surveys, Express developed 10 recommendations for educators.
Express CEO Bill Stoller stated, “The skills gap-which involves both ‘hard skills’ and ‘soft skills’-is a call to action for all of us. If we fail to act, and if schools fail to adapt, we will leave a whole generation ill-prepared to reach their full potential.”
Ultimately, educators can’t know what workforce qualities graduates are lacking unless business owners tell them. To address this need with a solution-based program, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce NorthStar Committee is driving forward a Talent Pipeline Management program that has proven successful across the Nation. It is a program of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and aligns business priorities with that of the educational system.
