Not a Member?  Become One Today!

Workforce Readiness Resource Page 

Workforce Readiness

The Society for Human Resource Management believes that government and employers both play a role in providing training to employees to help them become more productive and qualified for better, high- and middle-skilled jobs. SHRM is committed to helping HR professionals and their communities develop their local workforces so that they have the necessary skills for the jobs of tomorrow.

 Featured Content

SHRM-Atlanta Mobilizes to Aid Youth Programs 
A Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) chapter devoted more than 1,100 hours over two years to support a half-dozen Atlanta organizations’ workforce readiness efforts. SHRM-Atlanta’s work won it a coveted SHRM 2012 Pinnacle Award for its efforts in reaching 3,360 high school students in the Atlanta metro area.

Job-Skills Boot Camp: An Award-Winning Idea
The Mississippi SHRM State Council received accolades for its job-skills boot camp for sixth graders, now held in 67 of Mississippi’s 82 counties and at several private schools.

Calif. Manufacturers Try to Bridge Skills Gap
Right before the recession hit, aerospace-fastener manufacturers in California faced a dire situation: They couldn’t find enough qualified candidates to fill their job openings. The industry’s situation is better now because of an innovative training program at El Camino College, Compton Center. It’s one example of how California high-tech manufacturers are coping with a worrisome skills shortage.

House Approves Job Training Reform Legislation
The U.S. House of Representatives approved the SKILLS Act (H.R. 803), designed to help streamline and eliminate inefficiencies in the U.S. workforce development system.

House Republicans Introduce Job Training Act

Uncertainty—Not Just Skills Gap—Slows Economy, Experts Testify

Talent Strategies Can Combat Economic Uncertainties

OSHA Awards $10 Million in Training Grants

Research Suggests Strategic Approach to Developing Women

Changing Worlds of Work and Workers

Asian Employees Seek Development Opportunities

 Research

Recruiting and Skills Gaps
This research, part of the Ongoing Impact of the Recession series, examines recruiting and skill gaps in U.S. organizations. 

The Hiring of 2012 University/College Undergraduates and Postgraduates
Nearly one-half (47%) of organizations have hired one or more recent undergraduates seeking employment, up from 41%in 2011, and 30% in 2010.

SHRM – AARP Strategic Workforce Planning
Nearly three-quarters of HR professionals (72%) described their organization’s loss of talent due to older workers retiring/leaving their organization as a “problem” or “potential problem”; however, only a small percentage of organizations (5%) have implemented specific policies and management practices in anticipation of this potential talent loss.

 SHRM Communities

Connect with other SHRM members and volunteers who are interested in workforce readiness and skills issues.

 Job Market at a Glance

Unemployment Percent
7.5%
Unemployment rate in
 April 2013
Jobs Created
165,000
Jobs created in 
April 2013
Job Openings
3.8 million
Job openings in
March 2013
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
The SHRM Leading Indicators of National Employment® (LINE®) Monthly Report

MAY 2013
MANUFACTURING
 SERVICES
Employment Expectations
   +2.4 
  +6.7 
Recruiting Difficulty
   -3.5
 +13.6 
New-Hire Compensation
   +0.3
    -1.2   

 Featured Videos

How JAG Works
Ken Smith, president of Jobs for America's Graduates, discusses key elements of the organization's efforts to help at-risk youth obtain an education and employment.
The Net Generation
Don Tapscott, co-author of the book "Macrowikinomics," talks about the first generation to grow up through the digital age and some strengths they bring to the workplace.

 SHRM Public Policy & Advocacy

Capitol Building

Visit our Advocacy page for more information about SHRM activities around legislation that impacts skills issues and workforce readiness.

 SHRM in the News

Unemployed bad fit for available jobsThe Columbus Dispatch

Gwinnett bridges the skills gapThe Gwinnett Business Journal

Making sense of mobile learningHuman Resource Executive

When Boomers goCFO Magazine

 Useful Resources