There are millions of qualified candidates and plenty right here in Houston. And yet, many employers say they can’t find the people they need. Sound familiar?

Welcome to the skills gap. There are many factors contributing to it, from Baby Boomers retiring at a rapid rate to lack of education and abilities when it comes to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Technology and related regulations are changing so rapidly that it makes it difficult for many candidates to keep up.

But the bottom line is that if you don’t have the right people in the right positions, your business won’t be sustainable. What can you do?

One solution is investing in on-site training. When you implement continuous training, you can help existing employees acquire the skills you need them to have, rather than hiring more qualified external candidates, which will cost you more in the long run in salary and benefits. Not only that, but well-trained employees can move up to even more demanding roles when they open up, improving hiring outcomes.

So when it comes time to implement an on-site training program, what are some of the steps you can take? Here’s look:

• Talk to your managers to identify areas in your company where there’s a skill gap. They are on the front lines each day and understand which skills are currently most important, as well as those that will be in the future.
• Determine which of your job requirements is posing the biggest obstacle when it comes to hiring talent for your open positions. Figure out if these are areas where you can train high-potential new hires.
• When you are hiring, look for those candidates who are a fit for your culture and who are adaptable and seem eager to learn.
• In your training programs, be sure to integrate different delivery methods, such as off-site and on-site, online, instructor-led and self-led. Every employee learns differently and this will help to engage them in a variety of ways.
• Monitor progress to ensure your efforts are working. For instance, survey employees after each training course to discuss their experience, both the positives and negatives. Correct course, as needed.

Get access to qualified and well-trained employees.

As one of the top staffing agencies in Houston, Murray Resources can give you access to highly skilled and thoroughly trained employees who are ready to go to work. Contact us today to learn more.