Lack of ‘soft skills’ a big concern for business leaders, survey says

Job candidates’ lack of soft skills remains the top workforce concern in the Capital Region, according to the 2012 Economic Outlook, an unscientific annual survey conducted by the Baton Rouge Area Chamber. “Soft skills” generally refers to very basic matters, such as showing up for work on time, dealing with customers properly and dressing appropriately. About 42% of survey respondents think the lack of such skills is a significant problem, down from 53% last year but still first on the list of workforce concerns. “I don’t think there’s much in the workforce development system that really addresses that issue,” says Meg Mahoney, BRAC’s senior vice president of economic competitiveness. “Is that something employers need to build into how they train new employees? Do we need something more in our schools to address that issue? Clearly it’s a major concern.” “Candidates lacking requisite education or experience” was cited as a significant problem by 36% of respondents, who were allowed to pick multiple answers. Mahoney says respondents generally have a “middle-of-the-road outlook” of the region’s economy: not panicky, but “not ready to be super-optimistic just yet.” A total of 318 people answered the survey questions. Among survey respondents,
• 84% predict no change or moderate growth of the economy in 2012;
• 50% say tax rates are a significant obstacle for businesses;
• 49% have consolidated jobs or not filled a vacancy in response to the recession;
• 38% say they’re concerned about the construction slowdown;
• 54% are worried about national health care reform.
See the full report here. —David Jacobs