If your company relies on a workforce of tradespeople, expect a hard time replacing them. Trades are the hardest positions to fill, according to results from ManpowerGroup’s eighth annual talent shortage survey.
“Talent shortages continue to persist and are impeding employers’ ability to deliver value for their customers,” said Jonas Prising, ManpowerGroup CEO. “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.”
Most developed countries are concerned about the shortage affecting their companies’ ability to serve clients, according to survey responses.
The top 10 hardest jobs to fill globally and in the U.S. are:
| Global Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2014 |
U.S. Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2014 |
| 1. Skilled Trades |
Skilled Trades |
| 2. Engineers |
Restaurant & Hotel Staff |
| 3. Technicians |
Sales Representatives |
| 4. Sales Representatives |
Teachers |
| 5. Accounting & Finance Staff |
Drivers |
| 6. Management / Executives |
Accounting & Finance Staff |
| 7. Sales Managers |
Laborers |
| 8. IT Staff |
IT Staff |
| 9. Office Support Staff |
Engineers |
| 10. Drivers |
Nurses |
| Australia: Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2014 |
New Zealand: Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2014 |
| 1. Skilled Trades |
Engineers |
| 2. Engineers |
Sales Representatives |
| 3. Sales Representatives |
IT Staff |
| 4. Management/Executives |
Skilled Trades |
| 5. Accounting & Finance Staff |
Management/Executive |
| 6. IT Staff |
Technicians |
| 7. Technicians |
Accounting & Finance Staff |
| 8. Laborers |
Customer Support |
| 9. Machine Operators |
Machine Operators |
| 10. Doctors & Health Professionals |
Supervisor |
| Canada: Hardest Jobs to Fill in 2014 |
|
| Skilled Trades |
|
| Engineers |
|
| Management/Executive |
|
| Sales Representatives |
|
| Technicians |
|
| Drivers |
|
| Accounting & Finance Staff |
|
| IT Staff |
|
| Teachers |
|
| Laborers |
|
| |
|
|
The state of the talent shortage in…
Australia
45% of employers are having difficulty filling jobs
US
39% of employers struggle to fill vacancies, 10% less than the previous year
Canada
34% of Canadian employers struggle to fill open positions, 9% more than last year
New Zealand
A majority 51% of New Zealand employers struggle to fill positions
