The pulse of Hoosier business.
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2012 Skills SurveyA report about perceptions of skills of college graduates and the current workforce. |
Business Confidence Declines Slightly
Indiana’s Business Confidence Index is now
63 percent – a slight decline from previous
months, but not a considerable change
compared to the trends seen in 2011. The
Council indicates their confidence has
not waned significantly as we complete
the second quarter of 2012. Started in
December 2010, the Index is a measure of
the overall confidence Indiana business
leaders and employees have in their
company’s opportunity for growth and
success in the coming 12 months.
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What Did Hoosiers Say? |
Poor perceptions of graduates and The workforce |
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This survey measured perceptions of skills of both the current workforce and recent college graduates. Perceptions of college graduates and the workforce in general are very poor:
However, while perceptions are fairly negative and two-thirds feel finding talent with required skills is difficult, it is not impossible as less than half are experiencing a shortage in workers, possibly due to the economy. |
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What’s important to Hoosier companies? |
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Critical thinking/problem solving, oral communication, and professional/work ethic were the three most frequently mentioned skills necessary to being successful in one’s career. This is not surprising but is concerning when we contrast that with ratings on how well college graduates and the current workforce as a whole perform in these areas, which we will see in the next section. Below are the skills that at least nine out of ten indicated are necessary to being successful in one’s career:
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Unprepared Grads |
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The perception of college graduate skill preparedness is very poor. Listed below are how Indiana companies rated college graduates on the areas they felt were most important. The percentage is the total rated as excellent and very good. The findings indicate college graduates are not prepared for the day-to-day aspects of a job.
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The Council was also asked what skills college grads were lacking the most. Here’s the top results:  |
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What about the current workforce? |
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The current workforce does not fair much better on perceptions of being prepared in key skills critical to one’s success. The percent indicating the skills of the current workforce as excellent or very good is shown below.
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When asked what skills were lacking from the current workforce, here is what the Council had to say:  |
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Opinion: What It Means For Indiana |
Gerry DickPresident and Managing Editor |
Gerry's take |
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We’ve been hearing from business leaders throughout the state about the so-called ‘skills gap’, but these results show us the issue is perhaps more widespread than we thought. Many employers have been concerned for some time about the preparedness of those entering the work force as well as those already on the job. |
Steve WalkerChairman & CEO |
As CEO of a company that has been around for more than 70 years, I can testify to the importance of skills like critical thinking, communication, and professionalism/work ethic. It is unfortunate that college graduates and the current workforce rate so poorly in these areas. It is vital that the collective we (colleges/universities and businesses) work together to ensure college graduates and the workforce are prepared, not just in the specifics of their trade, but the skills necessary on how to survive and thrive in a work environment. |
