Nearly two-thirds of Tennessee employers predict it will be harder to find the qualified workers they need over the next decade, according to a new business survey.
Dr. Matt Murray, a University of Tennessee economist who prepared the survey, said today the results underscore a growing problem for Tennessee businesses.
“Employers today in Tennessee are already having difficulty getting enough skilled workers and they expect those problems to be even more acute in the future,” he said.
Among 618 business leaders surveyed by the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Tennessee, less than 20 percent rated Tennessee public schools above average. To get employees ready to work, employer respondents said they spent an average of $4,152 per year on worker training.
Dr. Murray said the jobs of tomorrow will require higher worker skills than in the past, but many of the most senior workers in the baby boom generation will retire in n the next decade.
For complete coverage see tomorrow’s Times Free Press.
Text Size:
In the past, schools in the K-12 range were actually teaching (No disrespect meant to those who really teach now). Some of the kids were using those skills and some were going on to tech schools and or 2-4+ year college, providing the skilled workers needed in differing fields.
These days the main courses they're teaching are how to pass all of the standardized, specialized and other -ized tests to make the schools "look" better. In effect, our kids are getting the short end of the stick with NCLB.
Most "higher educations" have such a large price tag on them now that when schooling is complete most of these grads cannot afford to work in the fields the've planned for and pay their loans, housing, etc.
Tennessee Employers fear workers gap!!!!! The experience they are looking for is out there; but unfortunately, the employers in Tennessee are overlooking those of us who have years of experience, experience that mirrors their posted positions but do not have a college degree. I have been looking for a job as a business analyst/project manager for the past couple of years. I have 6 years experience as a business analyst/project manager and that experience includes financial analyst duties, systems analyst duties, complete project management (on time, under budget), report and database design and development as well as a plethora of other experience from the same position and I have not been able to find a job doing those things because I don't have that little piece of paper saying "College Degree". My former employer (a top 3 bank in the country) promoted me because of my intelligence and ability to do whatever was asked of me in a timely manner. My lack of a college degree did not hamper my upward mobility at the bank, what did, is the number 2 bank bought the number 3 bank and my job moved overseas.
Employers of Tennessee - look at the entire person and their experience, not their lack of a college degree. I would be an excellent and loyal employee to any company that hired me. I know several people living in this area in the same position. We are working as assistants, receptionists, waitresses and are barely surviving. We all have the knowledge that companies are looking for but they will not hire us because according to one interviewer "I need that college degree".
Most employers do not want to pay for experience. I did not get a -catch up raise which everyone else did-. I was told by my director that I made more than anyone else therefore I would not be getting the raise. There was no research done on the average salary of a person with my years of experience and education. I have found through the professional society the average salary for my years of experience in the state of Tennessee should be about 6 to 8 thousand more per year than I make. Why would I want to work past retirement or be a consultant? I am in the Health Care business at your local hospital.