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Skill Needs in Douglas County OR - A Survey of Manufacturers
| September 20, 2004 |
Skill Needs in Douglas County - A Survey of Manufacturers
Date: September 8, 2004
Contact: For questions regarding content, please contact Rob Abbott at:
Robert.D.Abbott@state.or.us or (541) 440-3344 ext. 222.
This survey of manufacturers was conducted by:
The Oregon Employment Department
Workforce and Economic Research Division
at the request of:
the Umpqua Economic Development Partnership,
the Roseburg Chamber of Commerce and
the Region 6 Workforce Investment Board
KEY FINDINGS
Ninety-three of the 120 manufacturing businesses in Douglas County responded to our survey. These 93 businesses account for 76 percent of all manufacturing employment in the county.
Of these 93 respondents, 64 reported difficulty filling at least one job opening during the past year. Of these 64 respondents, 43 reported their difficulty filling one or more openings was due to a lack of one or more technical skills. And of these 43 respondents, 26 reported that their diffi culty in fi lling openings due to a lack of technical skills was a barrier to their company's growth.
Six additional businesses indicated their growth was stymied by an inability to fi nd workers with the nontechnical, presumably "soft,"skills they needed. Put another way:
- Roughly two-thirds of Douglas County manufacturing businesses have experienced difficulty filling one or more vacancies in the past 12 months.
- Just under half of Douglas County manufacturing businesses have experienced difficulty filling vacancies due to a lack of technical skills.
- Almost three in 10 Douglas County manufacturing businesses feel their difficulty in finding applicants with necessary technical skills has affected their ability to grow.
The initial goal of this study was to identify specific technical skills needed by Douglas County's manufacturing employers. The rest of this report will focus on that goal, within the context of the information presented above.
Ten key skill areas were identified from the survey. Each is discussed on the following pages:
1. Welding skills: highly valued when combined with general work ethic.
3. Machining: traditional and high-tech skills are in demand.
5. Reading technical drawings, schematics, and blueprints: not a top priority, but needed for many difficult-to-fill occupations.
7. Computer software: a skill needed now and in the future.
9. Basic math: a skill that's always in demand.
11. Wood products still dominates manufacturing.
13. Transportation equipment manufacturing has unique skill needs.
15. Small niche needs: dental supplies and printing.
17. Truck driver: a long-time shortage occupation.
18. Sorry, we just have to talk about soft skills.
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