ManpowerGroup News Release (05/29/12)

ManpowerGroup today released the results of its seventh-annual Talent Shortage Survey, revealing 49% of U.S. employers are experiencing difficulty filling mission-critical positions within their organizations. Although slightly lower than the 52% of employers struggling in 2011, a significant percentage of total U.S. employers continue to face hiring challenges despite continued high unemployment. U.S. employers are struggling to find available talent more than their global counterparts; 34% of employers world-wide are having difficulty filling positions.

The positions that are most difficult to fill include skilled trades, engineers, and information technology staff, all of which have appeared on the U.S. list multiple times since the survey began in 2006. The survey also highlights the most common reasons employers say they are having trouble filling jobs, including lack of available applicants, applicants looking for more pay, and lack of experience.

“Based on the many conversations we have with employers every day, ManpowerGroup recognizes the ongoing challenge business leaders face when looking for the right talent,” says Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup president of the Americas. “This skills mismatch has major ramifications on employment and business success in the U.S and around the globe. Wise corporate leaders are doing something about it, and we increasingly see that they’re developing work force strategies and partnerships with local educational institutions to train their next generation of workers.”