Chamber: Indiana Companies ‘Prepared to Grow’
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowThe Indiana Chamber of Commerce says its annual statewide work force survey shows “Indiana companies are prepared to grow.” The results show 58 percent of respondents expect the size of their workforce to increase in the next 12 to 24 months. While, WGU Indiana Chancellor Allison Barber calls it “good news” for the state, she says nearly three-quarters of respondents report filling positions is challenging. The survey says 43 percent report they have left jobs unfilled in the state due to “under-qualified” candidates, which is a 4 percent increase over 2014.
Barber says it's important for corporations and universities to work together to train citizens in the areas that lead to jobs. She says it's a balancing act.
Barber says the survey also focuses on internships. She says some companies want to be more involved in training new talent that will turn into skilled employees.
“The continued positive outlook from Indiana employers is encouraging. But despite various programs and local examples of strong education-business connections, it's clear that much more work remains to provide workers with the skills they need for today's and tomorrow's jobs,” Indiana Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Kevin Brinegar said.
This is the eighth year for the survey, which is provided to Indiana Chamber members and customers throughout the state. The chamber says the largest respondent groups were organizations with between 50 and 249 employees (40 percent), 1-49 employees (36 percent) and manufacturing/advanced manufacturing industries (38 percent). WGU Indiana is the sponsor of this year's survey.