Survey: Michiana Companies Adding Workers
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Michiana Partnership says its latest survey shows more than 90 percent of responding companies in its seven-county region added workers over the last six months. The organization reports 40 percent of respondents plan further employment growth in 2015.
October 29, 2014
News Release
South Bend, Ind. — The economic strength of the Michiana region is supported in a report released today (Oct. 29, 2014) by the Michiana Partnership. In a survey of employers in the seven-county region, the regional economic development organization found more than 90 percent of participants added workers in the last six months, with 40 percent already planning further employment growth in 2015.
The workforce outlook is contained in a voluntary survey of compensation practices and policies of 220 employers in the seven-county region represented by the Michiana Partnership. Survey participants include some of the area's leading employers engaged in manufacturing, medical, logistics, financial, education and other activities, some with annual sales of hundreds of millions of dollars and others with only a few employees.
Regina Emberton, president and chief executive officer of the Michiana Partnership, said the diversity of participants and the wide geographic range make the survey and report a valuable tool supporting the partnership's work attracting new investment to the region and aiding growth of existing employers. “The survey helps us prove the case that Michiana has competitive workforce advantages for employers,” Emberton said.
The survey collected actual wage data for 135 positions, from president to janitor. The survey also collects data about benefits packages and policies including health care costs paid by employers and employees, retirement benefits, training, vacation and other employment perks.
Emberton explained that the report serves two main purposes. The collection of up to date data helps the Michiana Partnership and participating economic development organizations recruit investment in the area by providing an accurate picture of workforce costs in the region. In addition, participating employers learn how their compensation practices compare with other employers in the region. A third section of the survey focuses on workforce growth and development. “In addition to anticipated trends in hiring and wage increases, we learned that engineering and technical positions are the most difficult to fill, and that almost half of survey participants say familiarity with Microsoft Excel is the software skill they need the most,” Emberton said. “This helps us define opportunities for training, attracting and retaining workers,” she added.
Copies of the report are available through the Michiana Partnership and a link to view the published report may be found on the Workforce and Education page of MichianaRegion.com.
Source: Michiana Partnership