Local Staffing Trends You Need to Know
A variety of economic indicators say small business employers are having trouble filling open positions with qualified workers. In some cases the lack of qualified staff is putting a lid on productivity and throughput.
In other words, some companies would be doing more business -- If they just had qualified employees.
I don't know if you are having trouble filling positions in your business. But I thought you might find it helpful to get a look at employment trends in Northeast Ohio.
Recently I conducted an email interview with Lou Cardinale, owner of Parma Express Personnel (http://parmaoh.expresspersonnel.com). I asked him for a quick rundown of key positions in demand in the local area. Here is what he is seeing in the local lay of the land, employment-wise:
The Cleveland/Parma area is heavily industrial and has seen a real demand lately for skilled manufacturing people. People with these backgrounds are in demand by employers:
1. Machinists
2. CNC (Computer Numeric Controlled) set-up
These machines are programmed to perform their operations through computer programming. By doing this, it reduces the possibilities of errors in production. Typically, these parts are high precision parts with very close tolerances. Individuals who can program and edit these processes are especially in demand.
3. CNC programmers
4. Experienced press operators
5. Skilled welders -mig, tig:
They are very much in short supply these days. Cardinale reports, "We constantly are getting calls for them."
6. Skilled Industrial Maintenance
These individuals work on a variety of areas such as machine maintenance, machine repair, HVAC systems and all infrastructure areas that keep manufacturing facilities humming.
7. Warehouse Staff
Per Cardinale, "We have recently seen an upsurge in the demand for warehouse staff ... individuals who have computer skills and can do UPS type paperwork and related duties.
8. Inside Sales
The current demand is not for highly-skilled sales people, but individuals with 1-3 years of experience. "I believe that companies like to train sales people in their sales philosophy and this approach has proven more effective."
9. CDL (Commercial driver's license) drivers for local delivery work.
Companies more and more want a CDL person who will also double as a warehouse person. This method keeps costs down and increases flexibility.
10. Nurse Practitioners
Cleveland, of course, is a health care capital.
* * * * *So with positions like these being in high demand, how do you compete in a tight labor market? How do you make sure that it's YOUR business that gets the most skilled people?
How do you become the employer of choice?
That was the question I put to Cardinale. Interestingly, his answer was not so much about money, but about how you treat employees. He noted: "Employers today are in a 'bidding war' for these skilled individuals. By bidding war, I do not necessarily mean that money is the issue. It is certainly a major factor, but I think that people today are looking for more than just money. They want to know, with hard work, they do have the chance to advance in responsibilities and accordingly, in compensation."
"Today more than ever, I believe that everyone wants to feel valued. Consequently, employers need to make a conscious effort to draw employees into the decision-making process concerning their scope of work, whenever possible. If you want a team, then you need to make them feel like they are a part of it!"
Sounds like good advice for how to attract the best employees.
