Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce nc Employer Needs Survey Results of North Carolina’s 2014 Study BUSINESS SERVICES REPRESENTATIVES

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey About the Study LEAD Partnered with Business Services Representatives of NC’s Workforce Development Boards Update and enhance their 2012 survey Nearly 800 responses from 2 groups 403 from a representative sample of all industries 373 additional manufacturing responses Public & Private NC employers with 10 to 499 employees Received responses from all 100 counties

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Survey Goals 1.Identify hiring difficulties of North Carolina employers 2.Understand employers’ needs & recruitment strategies

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Hiring & Difficulties Over Past 12 Months 12% Did Not Attempt To Hire 88% Attempted to Hire At Least One Position 56% No Difficulties 44% Difficulty With At Least One Position Respondents Hiring Employers 15% Absolutely Critical to Hire

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey No Significant Difference in Geography

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey 3x Longer to Hire Difficult-to-Fill Positions

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Industries with the Most Hiring Difficulties

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Wide Mix of Occupations Cited as Difficult to Hire 1.Sales & Related Occupations (Sales Representatives; Cashiers) 2.Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations (Registered Nurses; Licensed Practical & Licensed Vocational Nurses) 3.Education, Training, & Library Occupations (Secondary School Teachers; Preschool Teachers) 4.Office & Administrative Support Occupations (Receptionists & Information Clerks; Customer Service Representatives) 5.Transportation & Material Moving Occupations (Laborers & Freight/Stock/Material Movers, Hand; Driver/Sales Workers)

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Difficult to Hire Manufacturing Occupations 1.Production Occupations (Machinists; Welders, Cutters, Solderers, & Brazers) 2.Architecture & Engineering Occupations (Industrial Engineers; Electrical & Electronic Engineering Techs) 3.Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (General Maintenance & Repair Workers; Machinery Maintenance Workers) 4.Management Occupations (Industrial Production Managers; Marketing Managers) 5.Office & Administrative Support Occupations (Shipping, Receiving, & Traffic Clerks; Customer Service Representatives)

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Reasons Cited for Difficulties Lack Relevant Work Experience Lack Education Credentials Lack Technical or Occupational Skills Low Number of Applicants Lack Soft Skills Unwilling to Accept Offered Wages Have Criminal Record Commuting Distance Have Difficulty Passing Drug Test Unwilling to Accept Work Conditions

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Difficulty Hiring: Lack of Skills Non-Manufacturing Technical Skills Lacking Mix of Technical Skills; Customer Service; Computer Operation Occupational Skills Lacking Skilled Trades; Business/Accounting; Nursing Soft Skills Lacking Communication Skills; Enthusiasm; Interpersonal Skills Manufacturing Technical Skills Lacking Mix of Technical Skills; Machining; Blueprint Reading Occupational Skills Lacking Skilled Trades; Electrical/Electronics; Engineering Technologies Soft Skills Lacking Critical/Analytic Thinking or Problem Solving; Attendance Record/Dependability; Communication Skills; Enthusiasm

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Increased recruiting in region Overtime for existing workers Targeted recruiting to fill gaps Recruited from outside region Hired less qualified applicant Used temp labor/outsourced work Increased pay/compensation Targeted internal training programs Employer Reactions to Difficulties Where Manufacturing Significantly Differs Did not fill job opening

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Who Employers Turn to For Help Addressing Skill Needs 54% of Manufacturers Use Higher Ed or Workforce System Resources

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Summary Many NC employers have had difficulty hiring workers Not the majority and not all are critical needs Issues exist in a wide variety of industries and occupations Not just manufacturing, healthcare, and professional services Not just highest skilled or technical jobs Workforce most lacking in Experience, Education Credentials, and Technical Skills Difficulties are many and varied

Labor & Economic Analysis Division NC Department of Commerce Employer Needs Survey Report and Recommendations Report 014%20Employer%20Needs%20Survey.pdf Recommendations kills%20Gap%20Task%20Force%20Recommendations.pdf Thank You!