Survey: Employers Increasingly Seek Skilled, Educated Workforce
Aspire Johnson County, the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Johnson County, surveyed local employers this summer on issues shaping economic growth. When it came to workforce and talent, business leaders highlighted rising expectations for a more skilled and educated workforce.
In the online survey, conducted by Aspire’s Business Advocacy Council, employers reported relatively low job vacancy rates. Almost half (47%) said 10% or fewer positions were unfilled, and nearly one-third (32%) reported no openings.
When asked about education levels required to meet workforce needs, 61% of employers said at least some positions can be filled with a high school diploma, while nearly half (48%) reported requiring a bachelor’s degree for other roles. Another 29% seek an industry-recognized credential. Even among small businesses, nearly half reported requiring a bachelor’s degree, illustrating rising expectations for candidate educational attainment across the board.
Encouragingly, many employers are investing in talent pipelines. Forty-three percent offer college internships, 41% host job shadows or site visits, and nearly one-quarter provide high school internships or apprenticeships, often in combination.
“We were pleased to see employers adopting more aggressive, early pipeline strategies such as job shadows, internships, and apprenticeships,” said Maslowski. “Aspire has been working in this school-to-work space for the last three years, making thousands of student, teacher, and employer connections. With Johnson County’s growing population, we want these students to become tomorrow’s local workforce.”
Responding companies came from a broad spectrum of industries. Notably, the top categories of manufacturing, finance, professional services, and construction mirror leading sectors driving Johnson County’s economy. Small businesses had a strong voice, with 52% reporting fewer than 50 employees in Indiana. 17% were major employers with more than 500 employees.
Aspire conducted the survey to shape its policy priorities and advocacy efforts. The organization will share results with elected officials and use them to guide economic development strategies that support Johnson County businesses.