ManpowerGroup Reveals 10 Hardest Jobs to Fill as Global Talent Shortage Worsens

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ten hardest jobs to fill ManpowerGroup has released the company’s ninth annual Talent Shortage Survey results, revealing global employers continue to suffer from talent shortages. ManpowerGroup’s survey represents more than 37,000 employers in 42 countries and territories and found that 36 percent of global employers are having difficulty finding candidates with the right skills to fill open positions.

“Talent shortages continue to persist and are impeding employers’ ability to deliver value for their customers,” Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup CEO, said. “Due to the lack of applicants with the right technical competencies, experience and soft skills, one out of three employers struggle to fill open roles. For nearly a decade skilled trades and STEM positions are among the top 10 hardest jobs to fill, both globally and in the U.S.”

The top 10 hardest jobs to fill in the U.S. include:

• Skill trades

• Restaurant and hotel staff

• Sales representatives

• Teachers

• Drivers

• Accounting and finance staff

• Laborers

• IT staff

• Engineers

• Nurses

ManpowerGroup 2014 Talent Shortage Survey Key Findings:

• Thirty-six percent of global employers are having difficulty filling jobs. This percentage is at its highest level since 2007.

• More than 50 percent of global employers that reported a talent shortage said the shortages significantly impact their ability to meet client needs. Forty percent of employers say shortages reduce their competitiveness and productivity.

• Among the U.S. employers surveyed, 40 percent report difficulty filling positions.

• Almost half of employers who are addressing talent shortages are doing so through alternative people practices. One in four employers is exploring new talent sources. In addition, 23 percent are implementing alternative work models.

• 22 percent of employers who are experiencing talent shortages are not presently pursuing strategies to address such shortages.

• Employers in Japan report the greatest talent shortages globally (81 percent). Major shortages were also reported in Peru, India, Argentina, Brazil and Turkey.

By Joshua Bjerke