ManpowerGroup Urges Employers Work With Educators To Advance Job Training

International staffing firm ManpowerGroup is advocating that U.S. companies develop the skills of their local populations by collaborating with regional educators

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released 5 October 2012, reported the overall September jobless rate declined to 7.8 % from August’s 8.1% rate.

Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO

The U.S. private sector added 114,000 new jobs last month, while August’s jobs figure was revised up from 96,000 to 142,000. July’s employment figure was revised up from 141,000 to 181,000.

“As the U.S. jobless rate fluctuates, employers must stay focused on building out a long-term workforce strategy if they want to gain an edge over their competitors who are also forced to develop the in-demand skilled talent, which has becoming increasingly scarce in the human age,” said Jeffrey A. Joerres, ManpowerGroup chairman and CEO. “One essential strategy for building a talent pipeline is for companies to advise local educators on the skills and training they demand now and will demand in the future.”

ManpowerGroup Solutions’ Strategic Workforce Consulting

ManpowerGroup Solutions’ Strategic Workforce Consulting business is working with Competitive Wisconsin Inc. (CWI) to develop a long-term workforce strategy for the state.

The initiative is part of CWI’s ongoing “Be Bold” program to enhance how Wisconsin competes, grows jobs and strengthens its economy.

The program aims to produce clusters of in-demand skilled workers that help the current workforce, support employers and position Wisconsin as a destination state for both talent and businesses.

“Individuals must stay focused on strategizing long-term employment security by ensuring they develop the skills that employers will demand in the future,” Joerres added. “More solutions that develop and align area talent with the right opportunities must be developed at state levels to enhance the growth of U.S. companies and regional economies.”

In South Dakota, where unemployment remains below 5%, ManpowerGroup has been hired by the state as part of an effort called “South Dakota Wins” to recruit more than 1,000 new workers from across the U.S. for open positions.

Jobs range in industries from manufacturing to engineering to information technology.

The Manpower Employment Outlook Survey for Q4 in the United States was the strongest fourth quarter outlook in five years.

According to seasonally adjusted data, hiring intentions have grown increasingly confident throughout the last three years with no declines in the Net Employment Outlook quarter-over-quarter.

The continued climb in confidence marks three years of gradually improving hiring intentions, which were preceded by three quarters of pessimistic employment plans.

Hiring intentions continue to climb with employers in 49 out of 50 states reporting positive hiring intentions. Similarly, employers in 99 out of the 100 largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas report positive hiring intentions to close out the year.

According to ManpowerGroup’s 2012 Talent Shortage Survey results, 49% of U.S. employers struggle to fill mission-critical positions.

Skilled trades, engineering and information technology positions continue to rank among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill, year after year.