Mindflash Survey: Lack of Corporate Training the Biggest Driver of Skills Gap

 In a new online survey (infographic ) of over 2,000 U.S. adults, conducted for online business training software provider Mindflash, both employed and unemployed Americans believe that employers’ lack of willingness to train new employees is the leading reason why many Americans are unemployed and job opportunities are sitting unfilled for longer periods; the skills gap. Almost one-third (31 percent) of Americans cited that employers are not willing to train new hires for the specific skills they need.

More than two-fifths of employed Americans (41 percent) didn’t receive any skills training on the job within the past two years. A majority (76 percent) of participants also believe that companies have at least some responsibility to help address the skills gap, where job seekers are not qualified for open positions.

“Companies themselves have a hand in creating the very skills gap that is holding up work and productivity across our country today,” says Donna Wells, CEO of Mindflash. “While we work on long-term solutions such as improvements in higher education, companies need to rise to the occasion and invest in developing the ‘perfect hires’ they need to thrive here and now.”

The survey revealed that more than one-quarter (27 percent) of employees believe that the main reason for the skills gap is a lack of willingness among companies to pay enough to attract the candidates with the skills they desire. For those who did receive training, 71 percent felt effectively trained when on-boarded to their most recent position. Additionally, a majority (70 percent) of employed Americans agree that their company’s training is relevant to their day-to-day jobs.