Business walk results revealed

Survey shows a need to improve and expand workforce programs

Woodland’s 9th Annual Business Walk found that among 100 business owners surveyed last September most saw a need to improve and expand “workforce readiness programs and opportunities.”

That’s the main takeaway from the event which was held Sept. 25, 2019, according to a report released Monday by the Chamber of Commerce and city of Woodland.

The results are subtly different from previous surveys, where employers reported trouble finding “skilled labor,” which has been a continuing problem.

The survey is designed to collect data about businesses in Woodland and is conducted by volunteers and business owners. As it has in the past, the September 2019 walk focused on workforce development.

There were nine survey questions, ranging from “how is business compared to this time last

year?” to “Do you conduct international trade?”

For the most part, those interviewed thought that business was “somewhat” better than in the past, while others thought it was “much better.” Responses to other questions paralleled those of previous years with many employers indicating they planned to hire new staff within the next 22 months, or that they had no issues “finding” candidates with the needed skills required.

Survey questions included:

• How is business compared to this time last year: 23% say it is “somewhat better,” and 21% say it was “much better” than the same time last year.

• Are you currently hiring, or do you anticipate hiring in the next 6-22 months: 37% said they were planning on hiring.

• How do you recruit new employees: 38% stated they would use their “social networks and hire via word of mouth” and 25% stated they would turn to “online job boards for their hiring.”

• Are you finding candidates with the skill set to match your needs: Nearly 50% said they are finding candidates with the skills they need.

• Does your business offer internships, apprenticeships or other training programs: 22% reported yes, 60% reported no.

• What skills do you need most in your workforce: Surveyors provided a “Word Cloud” to illustrate the major technical needs were those with welding, building, driving and mechanical skills. Other skills needed included being bilingual, food preparation, woodworking and math.

There were other questions as well for which no responses were reported by the survey. Those questions included whether the business was interested in participating in the Woodland Youth Works Program, how many employees were working for the business owner being interviewed and whether the firm was conducting international trade?