FutureMakers releases 2023 Workforce Employer Survey Report
FutureMakers Coalition has released its 2023 Workforce Employer Survey Report.
FutureMakers Coalition’s goal is to transform Southwest Florida’s workforce by increasing the percentage of working age (25-64 year old) adults that hold post-high school credentials to 55 percent by 2025.
FutureMakers Coalition conducts the Workforce Employer Survey annually and uses the data to inform its Southwest Florida network, specifically education partners, about employer needs and opportunities to better work together to ensure the desired qualified workforce is available to the region’s employers.
More than 100 organizations and businesses responded to the survey. Among those that responded, approximately 63% were small employers (defined as having 100 full-time employees or less) and 37% were large employers (more than 100 employees).
The Southwest Florida organizations that responded to the 2023 Survey represent a broad mix of industry segments, including representation from the healthcare or social services/assistance (28%), education (18%), government (7%), construction/the trades (7%), and manufacturing (4%) segments. Organizations in the retail trade (1%) and accommodation/hospitality/food services (3%) segments, which are among the largest employers in Southwest Florida, were underrepresented in the 2023 Survey.
“The information gathered from the survey is shared directly with community leaders in hopes of identifying opportunities to inform priorities and work together to address workforce-related challenges employers face,” said Tessa LeSage, FutureMakers director, Collaboratory, which serves as the backbone organization for FutureMakers Coalition.
Highlights of the report include:
• 86% of the surveyed organizations reported that it is “very likely” or “likely” that recruiting and hiring new, qualified employees will be a priority in 2023.
• As organizations grow their staffs, 91% of responding employers replied that it is “very likely” or “likely” that improving the training of new or existing employees will be a priority in the next six months.
• 50% of the organizations indicated that “yes” they would pay a higher starting salary to potential employees who have a post-high school credential (degree), certificate, or industry-recognized certification. 36% percent stated that the starting salary would depend on the specific job requirements and candidate, while only 14% of the organizations stated that “no”, they would not pay a higher starting salary to potential employees who have a post-high school credential (degree), certificate, or industry-recognized certification.
• When asked why employees left their organization, responding organizations reported “new position offered more money” (61%), “moved out of the region” (57%) and the “cost of housing too high” (42%) as the top three reasons. Compared to the 2022 Survey results, “Moved out of the region” jumped 23 percentage points (from 34% to 57%) to the #2 position. Four organizations in this category specifically mentioned the changes in Florida’s political climate and new employment laws (e.g. the new E-Verify law). The impact of Hurricane Ian (27%) also played an important role in why employees left the responding organizations.
• 97% percent of the organizations reported that, in addition to an employee’s salary, the organization offers additional employee benefits. Among all organizations that offer employee benefits in addition to a salary, the most offered benefits included health benefits (91%), personal time off (84%), and paid vacation (80%).
• 67% percent of the organizations reported “yes” that they partner or collaborate with one or more of Southwest Florida’s educational institutions to assist in finding, recruiting, and/or training qualified employees. Offering student internships/preceptorships/co-ops (75%) and participating in recruiting activities (70%) were the most often reported partnerships or collaborations.
FutureMakers Coalition will continue to analyze the Survey data and publish new results in the FutureMakers Coalition newsletter to hopefully provide new insights into the needs of the region’s employers and how to gain better access to a qualified workforce.
The full report is available at futuremakerscoalition.com/reports.
FutureMakers Coalition is a regional collective impact initiative that has been designated a Talent Hub by Lumina Foundation in partnership with The Kresge Foundation to support local efforts to increase educational attainment. Formed in 2015 around existing regional collaborations, the Coalition is committed to creating a cradle-to-career pathway to ensure success for traditional students and adult learners. FutureMakers Coalition was one of Lumina Foundation’s 75 national Community Partners in Attainment and is a member of the National Talent Network. Collaboratory provides backbone/administrative support to FutureMakers Coalition.
FutureMakers Coalition encourages businesses to join and invest in sustaining this community-changing initiative by visiting futuremakerscoalition.com or emailing Tessa LeSage at tlesage@collaboratory.org.
Source: FutureMakers Coalition