The skilled labor shortage is reaching epidemic proportions. For the first time, there are more job openings than there are eligible workers to fill them — and economists have us bracing for wage pressures to build with higher competition and inflation. The skilled labor shortage is reaching epidemic proportions. For the first time, there are more job openings than there are eligible workers to fill them — and economists have us bracing for wage pressures to build with higher competition and inflation.
Retiring Baby Boomers have fed into the weak numbers for skilled labor, along with high school seniors moving to four-year college degrees and getting highly-skilled jobs or starting careers in public services.
Some security integration, installation and monitoring companies are getting creative with where they are looking to hire turning to “reskilling” techniques or building their own talent.
Companies are lowering their hiring requirements and providing additional basic internal training to make up for an applicant’s lack of industry-specific knowledge.
According to ManpowerGroup North America, investments in internal training and development are up 35% in the last four years. ESA’s National Training School is launching assessment tests to help identify where the largest impact can be made in developing an applicant’s skillset.
Other companies are taking a “buying the talent” approach to winning their hires, making major investments in benefits and wage packages.
It’s clear that 2019 won’t be any easier on the industry. So, how do we bridge this job gap?
ESA is arming its members with recruitment tools, assessment testing, training outlets (with new live virtual instructor led options) for those building talent.
And we’re teaming with SIA on a workforce development initiative to impact the employees of tomorrow now and elevate the industry as one of choice for job seekers.
The initiative will align on three key objectives:
• Outreach to schools, colleges and universities to increase awareness of the security industry and the broad range of careers available
• Research on the industry’s workforce development challenges and possible solutions
• Continuing education programs to help those already in the industry stay current with rapidly evolving technologies
Members of the ESA and SIA Task Force include:
Steve Firestone
President, Select Security
Andrew Lanning
Co-founder, Integrated Security Technologies
Eva Mach
Chief Executive Officer, Pro-Tec Design
Jeremy McLerran
Director of Marketing, Qolsys
Shuvankar Roy
VP, Comcast-Xfinity Home IOT Connected Home Strategy and Operations
Kerri Sutherland
Talent Partner, Axis Communications
As well as staff members from both associations.
For some time now, we’ve been working to arm our members with tools and resources for finding skilled talent, becoming employers of choice, and becoming more methodical about their hiring and onboarding processes.
However, as an industry, if we don’t do something impactful together — the long-term impact will be devastating.
We are excited to join forces with SIA on such an important initiative that will impact the industry we all share and love for years to come.
