LunchVox Live digs into workforce challenges with an overview of the 2022 Oregon Talent Assessment
On August 12th, 2022, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce was able to welcome LunchVox attendees both in person and online for this hybrid program around digging into workforce challenges.
Bob Whelan, Director for ECONorthwest, provided an extensive overview of the 2022 Oregon Talent Assessment, spoke of policy ideas based on the data received, and answered an array of questions from the audience.
The 2022 Oregon Talent Assessment survey represented 11 key industries and gathered 314 responses.
Whelan began the presentation with the survey response that 31% of employers currently do not believe their current staff is fully proficient at their jobs. Of this 31%, when asked “what skill sets or qualifications were most lacking in your existing staff?” both occupational skills and soft or interpersonal skills received 66% of respondents votes.
Paired with a third of employers feeling their current staff lack skills needed for their roles, the survey also indicated that 84% of respondents had difficulty finding qualified applicants in the last 12 months.
From what we have been hearing and seeing, the challenge of finding qualified applicants is being felt far and wide and continues to be ongoing.
With challenges comes the desire to look for creative solutions. Whelan discussed one of these creative solutions being cross cultural connections, as he feels it is critical for accelerated upward mobility. Whelan supplemented this claim with a real-life example, the Wy’east Pathway, a rigorous 10-month post-baccalaureate for American Indian and Alaskan Native (AIAN) college graduates committed to becoming physicians. This pathway provides enrichment and resources for AIAN medical school applicants who would otherwise likely not become physicians and is a proven example of how cross-cultural connections are vital in helping to supplement the workforce with qualified applicants.
Some other survey responses that Whelan touched on throughout the presentation were managers having a high concern about good employees quitting, with working hours, flexibility, and benefits mattering greatly, as well as housing supply and cost of living being the highest concern of community conditions impacting ability to hire.
Whelan left us with a few key takeaways,
- There are issues unrelated to talent and skill exacerbating the hiring challenge such as housing and childcare costs.
- Employers are more concerned about specific occupational skills and interpersonal skills than they are about basic skills and education levels.
What are the policy ideas for solutions?
Whelan believes that CTE programs are the first step in solving for many of the issues centered around lack of skills and proficiencies needed from the current and prospective workforce. Whelan noted that there is solid evidence on over a quarter million students in 5 states, whose progress was followed for years, showing the success of CTE programs.
He left us with this thought, early exposure in CTE programs and pathways is critical, beginning in Middle School and being prevalent throughout High School.
Want to watch the LunchVox Recording?
LunchVox Recording: Click Here to Watch
Bob Whelan’s Presentation: Click Here to View
2022 Oregon Talent Assessment: Click Here to View
We want to hear from you! After your participation in the LunchVox LIVE Program, we would love to hear your perspective of the 2022 Oregon Talent Assessment findings, and how we can use this information to build back a stronger workforce. Click Here to take the short survey.
You may also find the LunchVox LIVE Recording, along with other past program recordings and business resources on our Small Business Solutions Digital Hub!
