INDIANAPOLIS – About half of Indiana employers say they’re leaving jobs unfilled because they can’t find qualified workers — but for the first time in five years, fewer say it’s their biggest problem.

An Indiana Chamber survey says one in eight employers calls the worker shortage their biggest problem — last year, it was one in three. Vice president Jason Bearce says it’s partly that they have bigger problems now, like the trade war, and partly because more companies have decided they can’t wait for skilled workers, and need to develop workarounds. He says more than two-thirds of companies have begun hiring workers who lack the necessary qualifications, and giving them on-the-job training.

Bearce says companies are also reassigning tasks to their current employees.

Bearce says there are plenty of job training programs available, through the state and employers, but too many companies aren’t aware of them or are confused by having so many. He says the Chamber is working on making workers more aware.

The survey finds a lack of qualifications isn’t the only issue. Nearly half of employers say they believe applicants aren’t considering them because they don’t want to live in those cities. Bearce says that’s a good problem in some ways, because it shows companies they need to take an active role in building up their communities. He says the state’s Regional Cities initiative is making progress on that front.

 

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dianahope on morguefile