Latest news with #ExpressEmploymentProfessionals
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Job seekers say there's a training gap — not a skills gap
This story was originally published on HR Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily HR Dive newsletter. Most employees responding to a recent survey said they believe employers are passing over competent candidates because employers aren't willing to train them, according to a May 28 report from Express Employment Professionals. In addition, 87% said companies should prioritize skills-based hiring over degrees, pushing back on outdated job requirements and unrealistic expectations. About 90% said they'd stay longer at companies that invest in training. 'In today's evolving labor market, adaptability is increasingly recognized as a critical asset by both employers and job seekers,' said Bob Funk Jr., CEO of Express Employment Professionals. 'Many business leaders are finding that while priorities may differ, there's common ground in practical strategies, such as flexible qualifications and onboarding programs focused on long-term growth,' Funk said. 'These approaches help bridge gaps in expectations while maintaining the high standards that drive sustainable success.' In the survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults, 79% of job seekers said the skills gap is less about a lack of ability and more about employers' unwillingness to train. Nearly three-quarters also think employers should be willing to forgo some job requirements to find the right person. However, in a separate survey of more than 1,000 U.S. hiring decision-makers, 69% said the skills gap is wider than ever. Although 84% said their company has the resources to close the gap, a similar amount also said their company has waived some job requirements, such as years of experience, educational degrees, soft skills, hard skills and professional certifications. At the same time, challenges persist in shifting to skills-based hiring, the survey found. More than a third of hiring managers said they don't know how to assess certifications or online degrees, which can hinder their incorporation into the hiring process. To address skills-based hiring barriers, some employers are developing formal infrastructures, such as skills mapping and skills-based rewards, according to a Mercer report. These strategies can close talent gaps and encourage leadership buy-in, the report found. Looking ahead, 9 in 10 companies lack 'future-ready' talent strategies, particularly related to artificial intelligence capabilities, according to a report from The Adecco Group. Companies need to implement structured plans to support workers, build skills and lead through AI-related disruption, the firm said. Some HR professionals may feel stuck when addressing this talent conundrum as training continues to move lower on the priority list at many organizations, according to HR Dive's recent Identity of HR survey. Job shadowing and mentorship can help if learning and development investment has dropped, experts told HR Dive. Recommended Reading Survey: Companies struggle to measure the value of training
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
US Job Seekers Face Economic Fears, Increased Workloads and Growing Job Dissatisfaction
Survey Highlights Concerns Over Salary, Workforce Reduction and Impact of Technology OKLAHOMA CITY, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent study of U.S. job seekers has unveiled significant trends and concerns regarding employment, revealing a workforce grappling with increased demands, economic fears and growing dissatisfaction with key job aspects. The survey was conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. In the past year, more than half of employed job seekers have worked longer hours or more shifts than usual (55%), and nearly 1 in 5 (19%) have taken on another job to make ends meet. Despite their increased efforts, many job seekers are not optimistic about job security. Two in five cite not receiving the salary increase they deserve as a major concern (40%). In comparison, a significant portion (31%) is worried about a slowdown in work opportunities because of the economy. Concerns about workforce reduction and job loss compound these fears: About 3 in 10 job seekers (31%) fear their company may reduce the workforce due to the economic climate. Many (29%) worry about losing their job before finding a new one. Generational differences reveal distinct concerns among job seekers. Younger generations, including Gen Z, millennials, and Gen X, are more likely to fear never getting promoted compared to their boomer/senior counterparts: Gen Z: 33% Millennials: 30% Gen X: 24% Boomers/Seniors: 13% Additionally, concerns about technology or AI negatively impacting their role are rising, with 24% expressing this fear. As job seekers navigate these challenges, they also face significant gaps between the importance of certain job aspects and their satisfaction levels with these areas at their current position. Salary, work-life balance and benefits show notable discrepancies, highlighting areas where employers could improve: Salary: 87% essential vs. 69% satisfied Work-life balance: 83% essential vs. 77% satisfied Benefits: 81% essential vs. 73% satisfied Opportunity for advancement: 78% essential vs. 63% satisfied Gender differences further illustrate the diverse priorities among job seekers. Female job seekers are more likely than male job seekers to prioritize salary (90% vs. 85%) and work-life balance (89% vs. 79%), reflecting the different roles they may be balancing alongside their work. When it comes to opportunities for advancement, younger job seekers place higher importance on them compared to their older counterparts: Gen Z: 79% Millennials: 85% Gen X: 74% Boomers/Seniors: 51% Survey MethodologyThe Job Seeker Report was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 10, 2024, among 1,039 adults ages 18 and older. For full survey methodologies, please contact Director of Corporate Communications & PR. If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Director of Corporate Communications & PR. About Express Employment ProfessionalsAt Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Express Services dba Express Employment Professionals Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Hamilton Spectator
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Job Seekers Worried About State of Canadian Economy
TORONTO, May 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian employees are grappling with economic fears, increased work demands and growing dissatisfaction with key aspects of their jobs, according to a newly released survey by The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals. In the past year, more than half of employed job seekers have worked longer hours or more shifts than usual (58%) and 1 in 3 have taken on another job (30%) to make ends meet. Despite increased efforts, many job seekers are not optimistic about their job security. Their biggest concerns include not receiving the salary increase they deserve (41%) and a slowdown in work opportunities because of the economy (38%). Concerns about workforce reduction and job loss compound these fears. More than one-third of job seekers (34%) fear their company may reduce its workforce due to the economic climate. Many also worry about losing their job before finding a new one (34%) or their employers will decrease their hours (26%). In addition, concerns about technology or artificial intelligence negatively impacting their role are rising, with 24% expressing this fear. Generational differences reveal distinct concerns among job seekers: As job seekers navigate these challenges, they are also reporting significant gaps in workplace satisfaction with aspects of their job that they deem the most important: Addressing such gaps can be an important step employers can take to foster a loyal and motivated workforce, significantly enhancing employee appreciation and retention and ultimately strengthening their organization to succeed regardless of economic conditions. Survey Methodology The Job Seeker Report was conducted online within Canada by The Harris Poll on behalf of Express Employment Professionals from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, 2024, among 505 adults ages 18 and older. For full survey methodology, please contact Ana Curic at Ana@ . If you would like to arrange for an interview to discuss this topic, please contact Ana Curic at (613) 858-2622 or email Ana@ . About Express Employment Professionals At Express Employment Professionals, we're in the business of people. From job seekers to client companies, Express helps people thrive and businesses grow. Our international network of franchises offers localized staffing solutions to the communities they serve across the U.S., Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, employing 427,000 people globally in 2024 and more than 11 million since its inception. For more information, visit .
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Haitian employees still coming to work
Apr. 18—Despite efforts by the Trump administration to revoke the legal status — and therefore, work permits — of many Springfield-area Haitian immigrants, local employers say they continue to reliably come to work. By and large, Haitian workers in the Springfield-area manufacturing industry do not appear to be leaving their jobs in Clark County and surrounding areas, said Bud Downing, co-owner of employment agency Express Employment Professionals. Downing is also involved in immigrant business and employment efforts as part of the Haitian Coalition. Vilès Dorsainvil, president of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center, said employers have come to him with concerns related to employing a workforce at risk of deportation. "For the (Haitian immigrants), they would normally be willing to continue to work, but the employers sometimes don't see any future to continue to invest on some folks, or working with having some employees that are at a risk of deportation," Dorsainvil said. Haitian immigrants make up an estimated 10% of the workforce at McGregor Metal's three plants, human resources manager of the Leffel Lane location Summer Garrett said Tuesday. She described them as a "dedicated workforce," with many having been employed for several years. The plants are not experiencing a large loss of workers, Garrett said. She estimated the Leffel Lane Campus has about 145 employees, Yellow Springs Street has about 72 and there are about 65 at the Innisfallen Avenue location. With the work environment being more family-oriented, Garrett said she speaks with individual employees often and hears concerns from Haitian employees related to immigration changes and uncertainty. When Haitian immigrants apply, they must provide their Social Security number and work authorization document, which includes information about the person's status, said HR generalist at the Yellow Springs Street location Emily Bolton. This gives businesses an idea of how many their employees may be impacted by immigration changes. KTH Parts Industries in St. Paris is planning for Trump administration immigration orders and the impacts on its workforce, Belford said. The company is not currently seeing workers leave. "It's all a what if, because if it doesn't come into fruition, you have to have that idea or plan to make up for it," Belford said. The auto parts manufacturer employs several Haitian immigrants, many as part of their temporary program but others are permanent, Jennifer Belford, senior recruiter, said. Dole Fresh Vegetables employs several Haitian immigrants locally, but declined to share specific information. A representative said the company does "not expect negative impacts on our ability to deliver product from Springfield."
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How could the end of Haiti TPS impact Springfield, regional economy?
Feb. 28—The end of Temporary Protected Status for Haitian immigrants threatens to have ripple effects across the region's economy, leaving gaps in the workforce and reducing household incomes as Haitian workers lose work permits and are forced to leave. Many of the estimated 12,000 to 15,000 Haitian immigrants residing in the Springfield area are believed to be here under TPS. The Department of Homeland Security recently vacated a Biden administration decision, meaning Haiti's current TPS designation will expire in August instead of in February 2026 as originally scheduled. Many of the local Haitians have been here for years, obtained work permits and employment. "As employment increases, consumption increases," said Bud Downing, co-owner of employment agency Express Employment Professionals. "As consumption increases, manufacturing increases. The pie gets bigger, and I think that's what a lot of folks miss today, is the more people we have contributing, the more activity that happens in the economic consumer realm. Businesses flourish, consumers flourish, consumption goes up, manufacturing goes up." Data shows the majority of Haitian immigrants are working outside of Clark County, Horton Hobbs, vice president of economic development for the Greater Springfield Partnership said previously. He said he believes they are working in surrounding counties and bringing money back to Springfield. Haitian immigrants make up much of the workforce in local manufacturing at places like Topre America Corp., Yamada and McGregor Metal. Many businesses invested in translation and interpretation services for this workforce, as well as time training them. Creating illegal immigrants Vilès Dorsainvil, Haitian Community Help and Support Center president, said taking away legal status from thousands of people — turning them into immigrants living here illegally — doesn't make sense if the goal is to reduce illegal immigration. This will prevent people from being able to work, drive or do other things legally. "Because human beings have that kind of survival instinct, so instead of staying here and die, they will do other things that may not be right just to survive," Dorsainvil said. "So now, who is responsible for that?" Springfield Mayor Rob Rue said that Haitian immigrants have strengthened the local economy "by filling key roles in manufacturing and health care," although their "rapid arrival has strained public services." Rue said he believes the southern border should be protected and immigration policies reformed. "Hasty changes and swift deportation will cause hardworking immigrants to be lost, negatively impacting our economy," Rue said. "While those who commit crimes must be held accountable and face deportation, many other immigrants pay taxes and bolster our community. The policy of the previous federal administration lacked accountability, forcing us to manage an influx rather than promote healthy integration." Dorsainvil said "the worst thing" is that Haiti is still unsafe, and he hopes that the U.S.'s "strong civil society" of checks and balances and grassroots organizations stops this. But critics of TPS note the program was never meant to be a vehicle for long-term residency; it doesn't even provide a long-term path to citizenship. It was designed to provide temporary refuge for people from countries impacted by war or natural disaster. "For decades the TPS system has been exploited and abused," the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a statement announcing the end of TPS for Haitians. "For example, Haiti has been designated for TPS since 2010. The data shows each extension of the country's TPS designation allowed more Haitian nationals, even those who entered the U.S. illegally, to qualify for legal protected status." Jobs, businesses at risk Downing said Springfield and Clark County need all the workers they can get with the largest population group being near or at retirement age. According to the Greater Springfield Partnership, the median age in Clark County is 40.6 as of 2024. Of a population of 134,995 in Clark County, 27,272 are aged 65 or older. Greater Springfield Partnership — the city's chamber of commerce — has said in the past that the community attracted 7,000 new jobs to the area in recent years and Haitian immigrants helped fill that need. "These workers pay taxes and re-invest in our local economy," the organization notes in a statement on its website advocating working to assimilate the immigrant population into the workforce. Springfield city officials note Haitians have opened local businesses including grocery stores and restaurants. Express Employment Professionals has six to 12 Haitians on its payroll. Downing is also involved in immigrant business and employment efforts as part of the Haitian Coalition. He said his cohort has been working on how to encourage businesses to perform "tandem hiring," hiring two immigrant employees at a time where one has enough English skills to help the other person on the job. Downing said he isn't sure how the early TPS end will change that, but he will continue his work in immigrant employment. "We don't know what the employer temperature is going to be with Temporary Protected Status ending in August. Are they going have an appetite to do the hiring and training and investment?" Downing said. "And we don't know what this administration is going to do. We don't know what the state of Ohio is going to do. What options will there be for employers to continue to legally employ this immigrant population?" 'There's a gap' According to a study conducted by the American Immigration Council, a mass deportation would reduce the U.S.'s gross domestic product by an estimated 4.2% to 6.8%. Immigrants with and without status paid almost $16.80 of every $100 in taxes collected by federal, state and local governments. Downing said there is a gap between open jobs and available workers. "Regardless of the number on TPS or not, we've got — data says — this many open jobs, this many available workers," he said. "There's a gap." Education has been a key means to bridge that gap, creating more skilled workers in high school and local colleges, Express Employment co-owner Kristina Downing said, and marrying that with the Haitian and other immigrant population will create "the workforce that we need to grow." Rue encouraged the Trump administration to "reform federal immigration policies in a way that protects our borders, ensures fairness, and enriches our nation," while giving immigrants who want to become "productive citizens" a clearer path toward staying rather than immediate deportation. "These individuals were given hope and a sense of security through the Temporary Protected Status policy, which has been embraced by several administrations," Rue said. "The United States must continue to be a beacon of hope and a torchbearer of democracy."
