Workforce Challenges Constrain Middle Market Firms

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Aug. 29, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly four out of 10 middle market executives say a lack of talent constrains their companies' ability to grow, according to "Help Wanted," a report released today by the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM), in conjunction with the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program. Middle market firms – those with annual revenue between $10 million and $1 billion – are employment powerhouses, responsible for about one-third of U.S. private sector jobs and 60 percent of new hires. However, they report difficulties with recruiting, hiring, developing and retaining workers with the skills they need.

The chief reason cited by middle market executives for the lack of talent is a clear gap between supply and demand, with 44 percent saying a lack of candidates with the necessary skills makes it difficult to recruit. Other challenges include competition from other employers, a low number of applications, limited work experience among those who do apply and qualified candidates who are outside of the company's salary or wage range.

Health care has been hit the hardest, with 49 percent of middle market health care companies responding that lack of talent has had negative effects. Construction and service firms come in a close second with 46 percent feeling the impact.

"Middle market companies have added jobs at a 3.7 percent annual clip for the last five years, and the rate is accelerating," said NCMM Executive Director Thomas A. Stewart. "In fact, the rate was 5.7 percent over the last year alone. That makes the talent shortage particularly painful and makes it difficult for these companies to reach their growth objectives."

The report finds that middle market companies typically have lean human resources systems that are more operational than strategic. They frequently lack scale or capacity to carry out functions, like skills mapping, succession planning, developing career ladders and recruitment planning.  

On a related note, they do not always have the resources to build partnerships with educational, training and job placement organizations, or to join forces with other firms or trade associations. In partnerships with other employers, firms can identify common needs, aggregate demand and create economies of scale in shared workforce initiatives.

Moreover, the workforce and education system of public agencies, universities, two- and four-year colleges, high schools and nonprofit organizations can be confusing and time-consuming for firms to navigate. Additionally, these organizations don't have strong incentives to meet the workforce needs of middle market firms in particular.

"Middle market companies typically have more complex workforce needs than small companies but lack the HR capacity of larger companies to recruit, assess, hire and train the talent they need," said Martha Ross, a fellow with the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program. "Additionally, they don't have the brand power or hiring volume of larger companies, and educational, training and job placement programs are not always responsive."  

Solutions for Overcoming Workplace Development Issues
Middle market firms can take a variety of actions to improve their approach to talent management, most of which are low-cost, although they do require staff time and leadership commitment. With six out of 10 companies engaging in talent searches only when specific jobs become available, they should become more proactive in recruiting, training and retaining skilled employees. Companies should also invest in talent planning activities, build strategic HR capabilities, develop internship programs and enhance community outreach.

Middle market companies should also engage with universities, nonprofits and public-sector workforce programs, though only 20 percent do. These organizations have influence on the local business communities and can easily connect companies to top talent.

"There are significant opportunities for universities and others to develop programs for and outreach to the middle market, with great benefit to both parties," said NCMM Managing Director Doug Farren.

Middle market companies can also join forces to address their workforce problems collectively. Today, only 14 percent work with other companies to deal with workforce needs; the report suggests these companies participate in or create consortia to leverage workforce efforts within their region or industry.

About the Report
The National Center for the Middle Market surveyed 1,000 CEOs, CFOs, and other C-suite executives of America's middle market companies. The Center designed specific survey questions to learn about the HR and workforce partnership practices of these firms, including their recruiting and training efforts and challenges, the role of HR, and how the firms partner with other entities and organizations to address workforce issues.

Executives completed the survey during the first two weeks of December 2016. Additionally, the Center and the Brookings Institution conducted focus groups with middle market executives in Atlanta and Philadelphia in April 2017 to gain additional insights into the unique challenges middle market companies face when it comes to finding the talent they need to grow. Brookings also interviewed local workforce investment boards, other intermediaries, and firms. This report is prepared jointly by the National Center for the Middle Market and the Brookings Institution.

About the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM)
The National Center for the Middle Market is a collaboration between The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, SunTrust Banks and Grant Thornton LLP. It exists for a single purpose: to ensure that the vitality and robustness of Middle Market companies are fully realized as fundamental to our nation's economic outlook and prosperity. The Center is the leading source of knowledge, leadership, and innovative research on the middle market economy, providing critical data analysis, insights, and perspectives for companies, policymakers, and other key stakeholders, to help accelerate growth, increase competitiveness and create jobs in this sector.

Housed at The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, the National Center for the Middle Market is the first center of its kind in the nation. The Center enthusiastically serves middle market firms, students, academic researchers, policy makers, the media and other key stakeholders with interests in the health and well-being of the middle market. The Center is fully committed to funding and distributing the most credible open-sourced research, dynamically creating new knowledge, providing programs that drive value for middle market companies, and offering a well-informed outlook on the health and future of the middle market via the Middle Market Indicator.

About the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program
The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit organization devoted to independent research and policy solutions. Its mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations for policymakers and the public. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars.

The mission of the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program is to deliver research and solutions that help metropolitan leaders build an advanced economy that works for all. To learn more, visit: www.brookings.edu/metro.

SOURCE National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM)

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http://www.middlemarketcenter.org