Current Workforce Issues

Current Workforce Issues

by Diana Guetschow, Workforce Training Professional

To build the workforce of tomorrow, it is important to take the lessons from opportunities available today. The past three years have brought change and challenge we have not faced before, including a global pandemic, supply chain challenges, economic uncertainty, labor shortages, and more. All these elements have a lingering effect on the burnout and productivity of the existing workforce.

During the pandemic, we experienced the “great resignation” where people willingly left their jobs –averaging over three million workers every month. Reports show that nearly half of current US workers plan to look for a new job in the next six months. In the tight labor market in Utah, there is plenty of opportunity for employees to find their new job making it more important than ever to invest in developing and growing the current workforce.

To meet the staffing needs for growth we usually hire for the clearly defined hard skills – those specific skills we put on the job description defined by experience, education, certificates, etc. The missing link for success is more often the soft skills, those social skills that include such traits as communication, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and problem solving.

We all want to be successful in the work environment. One of the most effective tools to engage or re-engage employees is to provide the tools and resources needed for success. The intentional investment in the workforce provides higher levels of productivity, ignites disengaged employees, and builds a bench for future leaders.

Key drivers of employee engagement and retention are growth & development, effective communication within the organization, and feeling valued. Without opportunity for growth, high performers are more likely to seek new career options elsewhere. Providing defined career paths along with the training and development to achieve success builds trust and confidence in the leaders of your organization.

With the boomer generation retiring at dramatic rates every week, there will be a loss of skill as well as institutional knowledge and leadership impacting future success. By 2030, over 30% of the workforce will be Generation Z who may lack the experience and skills needed to meet the growing demands of your company.

Now is the time to build your bench by investing in the growth and development of todays and tomorrow’s leaders. Explore the multitude of opportunities available through your relationship with Utah Manufacturers Association, Community and Technical Colleges, Universities, and the plethora of other resources aligned to your teams’ learning needs. Explore the many short-term training opportunities available designed to develop or enhance skills and capability, providing the quickest path to success.

For more than forty years, Custom Fit has provided customized training for businesses to support workforce development and enhance Utah’s economic vitality. Explore https://ushe.edu/custom-fit/ to learn more about Custom Fit funding to help share the cost of training for your existing employees to gain the skills needed for continued growth and success of your organization.

Increase morale, increase productivity, decrease turnover, close skill gaps, and define clear career paths. It is never too early to invest in the growth and development of your employees to lead the success of your organization.