Radius Indiana Releases Employer Survey Results
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe regional partnership representing eight counties in south central Indiana says more than 20 percent of the companies it surveyed plan to hire between 20 and 100 workers this year. Radius Indiana Chief Executive Officer Becky Skillman says the survey also shows middle and high-skill positions are still a challenge for employers to fill. Radius Announces Employer Survey Results
Skillman Highlights Hiring Trends, Employer Partnerships, and Workforce Skills
March 12, 2015
News Release
BEDFORD, Ind. – Employers in the eight-county, South Central Radius Indiana region are helping to take the guesswork out of workforce development. With public and private sectors focusing intently on how to equip workers to compete for available jobs, Radius has cut to the quick of the issue and gone directly to employers with a comprehensive survey, conducted in partnership with Indianapolis-based Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA). The survey provides a deeper understanding of key employer needs, with participation from 47 regional employers.
The survey was funded through a grant from the University of Indianapolis' Center of Excellence in Leadership of Learning (CELL), and results highlight the importance of ongoing skill development in the workforce.
“Today, in contrast to five years ago, filling vacancies is the priority,” said Becky Skillman, President and CEO of Radius Indiana, “The middle and high-skill positions are the most difficult to fill, and we know applicants face barriers due to lack of specific technical skills across all jobs.”
Hiring trends revealed by the survey indicate just how important the workforce skill gap is to employers. Over the next 12 months, more than 20 percent of responding companies plan to hire between 20 and 100 employees, and half of all responding companies plan to hire up to 10 employees. With real requirements for technical skills, employers also emphasized the need for basic, soft skills from arriving to work on time to professionalism and team work.
In addition, employers indicated that partnerships are more important than ever. In particular, 43 percent of respondents are interested in collaborating with Career and Technical Education (CTE) Centers, with an end goal of aligning current training with employer needs.
“Clearly, there is much work to do,” continued Skillman. “At Radius, our Workforce & Education Advisory Council will continue to lead initiatives and serve as the workforce partner to our regional employers. We have learned so much in the past few months, with the employer and CTE site visits we conducted throughout the region and now the results of this informative survey. We are equipping ourselves not just to deal with urgent workforce needs, but to prepare for the future as well.”
The complete results of the employer survey can be found on the Radius Indiana website, under “News and Reports” at www.radiusindiana.com.
Photo Caption: Becky Skillman discusses the results of Radius Indiana's Employer Survey Wednesday in French Lick.
About Radius Indiana
Radius Indiana is a regional partnership representing eight counties in South Central Indiana: Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Orange, and Washington Counties. Formed in 2009, Radius Indiana also serves as a primary point of contact in Indiana for Crane and leads regional collaboration by leveraging the diverse assets of Southern Indiana to drive attraction, retention and expansion of business, thereby increasing employment and investment opportunities and quality of life within the region.
Source: Radius Indiana