More employer across the globe say they have difficulty finding staff with the right skills to fill open positions, according to a survey by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). The survey reported that 35 percent of global employers reported difficulty finding workers with needed skills — it was the highest such percentage since the start of the recession. Looking at the U.S. alone, 39 percent of employers cited difficulty. However, the number of U.S. employers was down from 49 percent in 2012.

“The improvement in the U.S. talent shortage is encouraging because it tells us companies will not allow talent mismatches to hamper business growth,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup president. “Rather, employers are becoming more willing to invest in existing talent to help them advance, and also broadening their approach to sourcing new talent, both of which are starting to ease the strain of the talent shortage.”

Skilled trades positions topped the list of toughest U.S. job to fill for the fourth consecutive year. The full list includes:

1. Skilled trades
2. Sales representatives
3. Drivers
4. Information technology staff
5. Accounting and finance staff
6. Engineers
7. Technicians
8. Management/executives
9. Mechanics
10. Teachers

In Canada, 34 percent of employers reported difficulty finding people with the right skills to fill jobs, up from 25 percent in 2012.

The toughest-to-fill jobs in Canada included:

1. Skilled trades
2. Engineers
3. Management/executive (management/corporate)
4. Sales representatives
5. Technicians
6. Drivers
7. Accounting and finance staff
8. Information technology staff
9. Teachers
10. Laborers

In Mexico, 38 percent of employers reported difficulty finding workers with the right skills, down from 43 percent in 2012.

The toughest jobs to fill in Mexico included:

1. Technicians
2. Sales representatives
3. Production operators
4. Secretaries, PAs, administrative assistants and office support staff
5. Engineers
6. Accounting and finance staff
7. Laborers
8. Management/executive (management/corporate)
9. Drivers
10. Receptionists

The toughest jobs to fill globally included:

1. Skilled trades workers
2. Engineers
3. Sales representatives
4. Technicians
5. Accounting and finance staff
6. Management/executives
7. Information technology staff
8. Drivers
9. Secretaries, PAs, administrative assistants and office support staff
10. Laborers

ManpowerGroup surveyed nearly 40,000 employers in 42 countries and territories, including more than 1,000 U.S. employers, during the first quarter of 2013. This is the eighth consecutive year that the survey has been conducted.