Survey : Questions

The Yakima Valley Human Resources Association and the Yakima County Development Association and have joined forces to complete research around factors that affect local employers’ ability to attract new workers from outside the area to fill technical and professional job openings.

Our team has developed the following electronic poll to generate input on workforce recruiting and placement issues. The actual survey contains 15 questions and should not take anyone more than 5-10 minutes to complete.

Our team plans to compile the results over the summer and we ultimately want to identify core issues affecting "talent attraction" and identify some options or strategies to address these challenges.

1.

Please identify your position within your company:

Owner

Plant/Business Manager

Human Resource Manager/Staff

Other

2.

Has your firm/organization hired any new emploees in the last 12 months?

Yes

No

3.

In the last 12 months, did your firm/organization have any difficulty finding qualified applicants for any jobs you were trying to fill?

Yes

No

	*If you answered "No" to questions 2 or 3, please skip to question 5*

4.

How did your firm respond to the difficulty finding qualified applicants?
Please check all that apply

Did not fill the position

Hired a less-qualified applicant

Increased overtime for current workers

Increased recruiting efforts

Increased wages to attract applicants

Outsourced the work/service

Other

5.	Please indicate the jobs or positions that your firm/organization had the most difficulty finding qualified applicants in the last 12 months:
	350 characters left.

6.

On a scale of 1 to 10 rate how difficult it is to find employees demonstrating the following skills

	Very Easy									Very Difficult
Occupation Specific Skills
Interpersonal Skills
Problem Solving or Critical Thinking
Positive Work Habits and Attitudes
Leadership Skills
Writing Skills
Reading Skills
Use math to solve problems and communicate
Use information and communications technology

7.

How likely will your firm/organization need employees with the following types of education over the next three to five years?

	Not Likely									Very Likely
High school diploma or GED
Vocational certificate or degree
Academic associate degree (A.A. or A.S.)
Bachelor's degree (B.A. or B.S.)
Master's degree (M.A. or M.S.)
Doctoral or Professional degree

8.	What types of professional education or workforce training are you planning or needing to offer your employees over the next 6-12 months?
	350 characters left.

9.

Rate the following employer factors in terms of how they impact your ability to recruit/hire technical or professional employees:

	Not Important									Very Important
Salaries/Wages
Benefits
Work/Management Culture
Job Security
Career Advancement Options
Non-traditional Benefits (PTO, flexible scheduling, etc.)

Comment:
500 characters left.

10.

Rate the following employer factors in term of how they impact your ability to retain technical or professional employees:

	Not Important									Very Important
Salaries/Wages
Benefits
Work/Management Culture
Job Security
Career Advancement Options
Non-traditional Benefits (PTO, flexible scheduling, etc.)

Comment:
500 characters left.

11.

Rate the following community factors in terms of how they impact your ability to recruit or retain technical or professional employees:

	Not Important									Very Important
Spousal Employment Options/Opportunities
Higher Education Options/Opportunities
Local Schools (K-12)
Housing Costs/Availibility
Overall Cost-of-Living
Public Safety/Crime
Geographic Location

12.	What are the most common reasons technical or professional people leave your employ?
	350 characters left.

14.

Type of business (choose the most accurate description)

Agriculture

Construction

Government & Education

Health Care

Manufacturer

Retail

Service

Wholesale & Distribution

Other

15.	Any other comments or suggestions?
	350 characters left.

16.

OPTIONAL: Name and company name

First Name:
Last Name:
Company Name: