EDGE SALON: THE BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE ON CALIFORNIA'S SKILLS SHORTAGES
| On a warm summer evening in Sacramento, about 30 Sacramento workforce policymakers and other workforce leaders heard the business perspective on our workforce challenges at the EDGE Campaign's second “Linking Economic and Workforce Development Salon.” |  |
During the July 31 Salon, national workforce experts presented their findings from extensive interviews with nearly 50 Sacramento-area business leaders about their experiences recruiting and training skilled workers and the role business should play in resolving these challenges. The participants then heard directly from two regional business executives — Mike Geremia of Geremia Pools and Bill Haish of Johnson & Johnson — about their own difficulties finding skilled workers and the innovative partnerships and investments that they have made to overcome these problems.
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Watch a video of all Salon speakers! |
The research, conducted in partnership with the California Manufacturers and Technology Association, included 47 executives in the Sacramento region — from manufacturing to services, high-tech to construction. The study's main findings were:
- Workforce skills shortages are a common issue of concern across many different industries.
- Employers believe they have a role and responsibility to build a skilled workforce — 37 of 38 companies interviewed agreed that they need to take an active role, and 34 are already doing so. These activities include “growing your own” efforts but also regional partnerships with community agencies and organizations.
- Employers work with many partners and have strong views on their partnerships, including mixed reviews of community colleges, high schools, and the public workforce system. Many employers, however, know that there are “islands of excellence” in their communities that need to be connected to a broader strategy.
- The growing immigrant workforce is perceived as key to competitiveness.
- Employers are getting value from their investments. They are satisfied overall with the results of their engagement with partnerships, including apprenticeships and other post-secondary education and training. However, they also voiced concern that workforce policy is not keeping up with the needs of business.
- There is strong potential to develop the “business voice.” A core group of leaders expressed passion for systems change and strengthening regional linkages.
The researchers also made four recommendations:
- Be strategic with engagement and investment, using the state as a catalyst for private and regional initiatives;
- Focus on middle-skill jobs — well-paying jobs like electricians and manufacturing technicians that require training or education above high-school level, but not necessarily a bachelor's degree;
- Support partnerships between business and the regional workforce system; and
- Don't overlook the need for basic skills — reading, writing, and analysis — that are the foundation for further education and training.
This event was the California EDGE Campaign's second "Linking Economic Development and Workforce Development Salon," a series of intimate forums that bring together state leaders to explore California's workforce challenges and potential solutions.
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With thanks to the following funders: |