Is your company struggling to hire skilled workers in the United States’ ultra-competitive job market? You’re certainly not alone.
As of February this year, SkillsUSA estimates that 10 million skilled workers will be needed by 2020 and that 600,000 skilled jobs are currently going unfilled. In fact, 83% of companies report a moderate to serious shortage of skilled workers, while a further 69% believe the shortage will only grow worse in the next three to five years.
Without a robust and forward-thinking talent acquisition strategy, your company will feel the heat of the growing skills gap. Here are 3 best practices to consider:
Implement internal training
Training your existing employees can help shorten the skills gap. By investing in the skills of your existing staff, your organization will be able to tailor employee skill sets in a way that helps you fill current or future gaps.
This is why it’s also crucial to hire individuals who are a strong cultural fit. While it’s not realistic to train every person you hire into a highly-skilled employee, some skills can be easily taught and add long-term value to your organization. Starting with those who seamlessly fit in your organization is a safe bet.
Prioritize staff retention
If your company is already struggling to hire talent, then you certainly can’t afford to lose the valuable employees you already have.
The most successful companies work proactively to curate a company culture that provides their workers with the things they need to get the job done while maintaining satisfaction. Things like flexible or remote working options, increased annual leave, employee benefits, and a comfortable office environment can help retain your company’s top talent and reduce the strain and stress of finding new skilled workers.
Tap into the gig economy
Comprised of contractors and contingent workers, the gig economy is an excellent resource for hiring on-demand talent. In fact, recent statistics show that around 36% of the US workforce currently works on a contingent basis. That number that could reach as much as 40% by 2020.
The traditional hiring process associated with full-time employees is expensive and requires a lot of time. By leveraging the increasing number of freelancers, contractors, and consultants who are readily available to work, your organization can save money by hiring skilled workers from the get-go.
Is your organization interested in learning more about full-service solutions for tackling the growing skills gap? Contact us today.