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Iowa Employers Search For Creative Solutions To Worker Shortage

Photo: Kirkwood Community College

(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- A survey of nearly 140 eastern Iowa businesses finds three common workforce concerns: a lack of qualified candidates, a small labor pool, and struggles to recruit and retain workers. Kirkwood Community College's Skills 2024 Survey finds employers are concerned that workers and applicants lack the skills, education, and training needed to meet many job position requirements.

The survey was distributed to employers across the college’s seven-county service area of Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn, and Washington counties.

Kirkwood Vice President of Continuing Education and Training Services Jasmine Almoayyed says a solution to these employer concerns may be found in existing staff.

“Employers in our region are facing what may be the most constrained labor market in recent memory,” said Almoayyed. “If a business can’t find the right employees, it becomes detrimental to their overall success and can destabilize the organization. Unfortunately, this problem is prevalent throughout the seven-county area. If our workforce issues are not addressed, it could be damaging to the regional economy. The results of this survey show the need for action, which is right in Kirkwood’s wheelhouse. We’ve been helping businesses to combat these very issues for a long time and have helped many of our partners succeed by developing strong and talented employee rosters.”

The report suggests employers must invest in employee retention strategies such as conducting and acting on companywide culture assessments, developing mission/vision/values statements, and investing in their current employees with professional development opportunities. The report also suggests businesses must take a more active role in directing training, education and apprenticeship programs. Additionally, employers must use nontraditional tactics to combat workforce shortages. Almoayyed says there are some sectors that are finding creative ways to advance existing staff, with an "earn-to-learn" model.

To see the full report, go to www.kirkwood.edu/skills2024.


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