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Facing skills shortage, Midwest employers consider training

November 07, 2013

Lack of qualified employees is the biggest issue facing Midwest companies, according to an employment forecasting survey by QPS Employment Group, a privately held staffing firm based in Brookfield, Wis. Forty-six percent of survey respondents said they are struggling to fill open positions due to the lack of skilled candidates available, and 62 percent of companies have considered training skilled employees due to the lack of available candidates.

“More companies are beginning to understand that in tight labor markets, internal training may be necessary to get the job done,” said Mark Immekus, QPS’ chief sales officer.

The survey also found that 40 percent of Midwest employers plan to increase staffing levels in the fourth quarter, down from 45 percent in QPS’ third-quarter employment forecast survey.

Survey findings include:

Hiring trends:

  • 40 percent will increase headcount levels
  • 9 percent will decrease levels
  • 51 percent will remain the same

Business in the fourth quarter:

  • 45 percent expect business to improve
  • 50 percent think that it will remain the same
  • 5 percent anticipate business to decline

Wages:

  • 16 percent will increase wages
  • 3 percent will decrease wages
  • 81 percent will stay the same

Biggest issues facing companies:

  • Lack of qualified employees: 50 percent
  • The economy: 44 percent
  • Healthcare/Insurance costs: 45 percent
  • Government Regulations: 21 percent
  • Material Costs: 19 percent

QPS surveyed 235 companies from the manufacturing and service sectors throughout Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa and Kansas and Missouri in September of 2013.