It is still difficult for employers to fill open positions, despite high unemployment, according to survey results from Express Employment Professionals. Eighty-three percent of Express franchises said it was “somewhat difficult” or “very difficult” to recruit and fill positions, up from 78 percent in 2013.

This year, 25 percent said it was “very difficult” to recruit and fill positions, up from 12 percent in 2013. However, 58 percent said it was “somewhat difficult,” down from 66 percent in 2013.

Lack of available applicants was the primary reason that open jobs are not filled in both years, chosen by 52 percent of respondents in 2014 and 46 percent of respondents in 2013.

“My advice to employers is to recognize that you won’t always find the perfect fit — at least in the short term,” said Express CEO Bob Funk. “As a country, we need more training and re-training for workers, so that Americans who are unemployed can be more competitive and fill the positions that are available. That’s critical to lowering unemployment.”

The findings come from the 2014 survey of 115 Express franchises nationwide.