NEW YORK, Sept. 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. unemployment
hovers at nine percent and while 14 million Americans remain
unemployed, the U.S. Department of Labor reported there are
currently three million available jobs. Against this backdrop,
today the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and University of Phoenix announced a new report,
Life in the 21st Century Workforce: A National Perspective,
that paints a picture of the employment landscape and the key
dynamics both workers and employers need to consider as they seek
to promote excellence in the workplace.
Fifty-three percent of employers say their companies face a
significant challenge in recruiting non-managerial employees with
the skills, training, and education their company needs. The
results summarized in Life in the 21st Century Workforce: A
National Perspective indicate agreement across both employers
and employees that education – including continuing education
and advanced degrees – is critical to ensuring workers have the
skills necessary to advance in their professions. They also agree
that interpersonal skills, collaboration, critical thinking, and
problem-solving are important to providing the most benefit to
employers and the workforce alike.
"There is considerable discussion focused on the skills
employees need to succeed in the workplace," said Margaret
Spellings, senior advisor to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and
former U.S. Secretary of Education. "However, it's imperative we
understand the issue from the inside-out in order to improve the
way we prepare our future workforce. The results of Life in the
21st Century Workforce: A National Perspective can help inform
employers, employees and jobseekers seeking to stand out in the
increasingly competitive job market."
In today's workplace, the labor force considers past work
experience (50%) to be the most important factor when companies are
making hiring decisions, outdistancing people management and
communication skills (27%). However, when it comes to being
promoted, workers are far more likely to consider people management
and communication skills (46%) as more important than past work
experience (38%).
"Our nation is facing a critical disconnect between the skills
our workforce brings to the job, and what businesses need," said
Greg Cappelli, co-CEO of Apollo
Group, parent company of University of
Phoenix. "Despite the country's current unemployment levels,
there are literally millions of jobs available for people with the
right skills and the right education. We must look to the future
and focus on providing students with a relevant education – one
that prepares them with the expertise they need for successful
careers in the workforce of tomorrow."
Among the key findings of the Life in the 21st Century Workforce
study:
Heading Back to School
- Eight-in-ten employers (80 percent) believe that education is
critical to ensuring that workers have the competencies necessary
to advance, and 72 percent of the labor pool agree.
- U.S. workers believe that going back to school will have a
direct impact on their career: the most common reasons for going
back to school are to advance their career (89 percent), increase
their salary (89 percent) or gain training for a specific job (88
percent).
- Moreover, employers believe that increasing the number of
workers who complete post-secondary education programs and receive
a degree or credential will contribute to the success of their
company.
Landing a Job vs. Getting promoted
- In today's workplace, the labor force considers past work
experience (50 percent) to be the most important factor when
companies are making hiring decisions, outdistancing people
management and communication skills (27 percent).
- However, when it comes to being promoted, workers are more
likely to consider people management and communication skills (46
percent) as more important than past work experience (38
percent).
- And employees (77 percent) see continuing education as vitally
important for success in their careers.
Walking the Talk
- Forty-six percent of workforce respondents say their company
pays all (17 percent) or some portion (29 percent) of tuition.
Meanwhile, 50 percent of employers say they have a tuition
assistance program.
- In addition, 57 percent of employers interviewed offer flexible
schedules to accommodate post-secondary education and
training.
Choosing a Program for Success
- Business leaders place a premium on post-secondary education
programs preparing individuals for success in the workplace (56
percent), providing individuals with core academic knowledge and
intellectual skills (51 percent) and providing individuals with the
workforce skills and knowledge for success in a specific career (50
percent).
- Conversely, employees place more weight on program elements
that affect their day-to-day life; a flexible schedule is the most
important attribute for workers (21 percent), while 16 percent say
both cost of tuition and practical learning experiences are the
most important.
The Uphill Battle
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that 14
million Americans remain unemployed. It is against this backdrop
that just 19 percent of Americans believe things in the U.S. are
headed in the right direction, while 73 percent say things are
going in the wrong direction.
ABOUT THE SURVEYS
The workforce survey findings presented here are part of a
multi-audience, multi-location research project sponsored by the
University of Phoenix. Telephone
interviews were conducted among a random national sampling of 500
workforce members 18-54 years of age between
April 6 and 18, 2011. The sampling error for the sample is
+/- 4.4 percentage points. Survey interviewing and analysis were
completed by APCO Insight, an international opinion research and
consulting firm.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce / Civic Enterprises study of
employers was conducted September 7-16,
2010 among a random national sample of 450 business leaders
at companies with 50 or more employees. Respondents included
C-suite level executives, senior vice presidents, officers, and
vice presidents at companies across sectors. The online survey was
designed and conducted by Peter D. Hart Research Associates. The
report was commissioned by the Bill & Melinda Gates
Foundation.
ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF
PHOENIX
University of Phoenix is constantly
innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly
changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and
interactive learning, students achieve personal and career
aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As the flagship
university of Apollo Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student
population, offering associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral
degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S.
as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit
phoenix.edu.
SOURCE University of Phoenix