National Skills Coalition pushes for government-supported skills training

Dive Brief:

According to research from The National Skills Coalition's (NSC), 79% of business leaders would like to see more funding for skills training offered by the government, and 93% of American voters agreed. Its research found 59% of voters are likely to vote for someone who supports increased government funding for skills training.
NSC is launching its Voices for Skills campaign to educate policymakers and candidates in the 2020 election cycle on how essential skills training is to enable workers to fill in-demand jobs. In a press release emailed to HR Dive, NSC said Voices for Skills aims to show candidates and current representatives that there is public demand for access to skills training needed for jobs that require less than a four-year degree.
With many jobs today requiring at least some form of postsecondary education or training, business leaders report increased difficulty finding skilled workers, NSC said. According to their data, 62% of business owners overall, and 80% of businesses looking to hire more than 20 new workers are challenged by finding skilled talent in today's labor market.

Dive Insight:

Employers are figuring out how to train future skilled trade workers. Partnerships among employers that create pathways for youth to move into these careers, including the recent launch of Generation T, are working to connect job seekers with apprentice programs in their area. Some believe collaboration among stakeholders, including the government and trade associations, is needed to help fill demand as well as provide career pathways for those who don't see a four-year degree in their future.

Some construction employers have even turned to signing bonuses to attract talent. But that stop-gap remedy doesn't address the long-term problem. With fewer workers on hand, many employers are forced to turn down contracts and many say productivity takes a hit.

While more companies are reportedly turning to employees for help with influencing policy and supporting politicians who support employers' agendas, this new initiative seeks to influence through lobbying instead.