A new survey by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association has found that skilled worker shortages are hampering business growth and offering would-be retirees incentives to stay on has become but a thumb in the dyke.
The electronic survey titled “2008 Availability of Skilled Workers in Connecticut” found that businesses are experiencing greater difficulty in finding and hiring a work force suitable to their needs. The survey was also conducted with the help of the Capital Workforce Partners and the United Illuminating Co.
The lack of work force observed in the survey was attributed to the state experiencing a two-sided demographic challenge, that of declining populations of younger people and the baby boomer generation starting to retire.
According to business analysts, the strategy of actively encouraging older employees via incentives to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age can only help the situation temporarily.
“If the state is to remain an economic leader, policymakers, educators and the business community must all work together to address the issues that are challenging our ability to produce enough skilled workers and sustain our competitiveness,” said John R. Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO.
The most difficult positions to fill were found to be skilled professionals and technicians, and skilled machinists and other manufacturers. Some businesses are attempting to use their aged professionals as mentors to their industries and encourage future workers.
“Three of our members; Northeast Utilities, United Technology and Boehringer Ingelhiem have been offering their retiring staff positions as alternate-route teachers,” said Lauren Kaufman, vice president of CBIA responsible for education training policy, of programs that capitalize on prospective teachers”™ work histories.
According to Kaufman, the critical industry teacher shortage is most prolific in the areas of math, science and engineering. She says the initial idea is to fill instructional positions and provide a useful and less taxing place for people who no longer want to take on a full work schedule. Kaufman said it will also provide training from seasoned professionals and help excite and direct young people toward skilled fields.
According to manufacturing executives, the government could help them create more jobs by reducing health care costs and reducing government-mandated costs of doing business. They also suggested that the state provides incentives to new workers who receive training, and incentives to companies who are hiring new workers.
Almost all, 95 percent, of CBIA survey participants said they support greater accountability and higher standards in Connecticut’s public education system.
