The Penn Foster Blog

The Business of Empowerment

Whether you're in hospitality or healthcare, these days, every company is a tech company. No business can run without technical professionals to keep the computers in good working order. Trained computer support technicians and PC repair technicians are valuable, and hard to keep.  

There is a growing movement in today's tight labor market with the resurgence of apprenticeships. A proven practice to prepare individuals for a career in a middle-skilled trade, apprenticeships are coming to the forefront of the job market as an alternative to expensive and time-consuming degrees.

You've heard of the skills gap. Well there's another challenge facing employers who have middle-skills jobs to fill: the credentials gap.

Do you want employees who tackle challenges head-on, who stay motivated when the going gets tough, who see feedback as constructive and take responsibility for their mistakes?

As the United States economy continues to trend in a positive direction, many industries are still left wondering how to fill a surplus of open jobs with skilled workers. The retail industry isn't immune to this effect by any stretch, as the turnover rate in the industry was a whopping 13% as of March 2018.¹

Today's tight labor market has been attributed to the growing skills gap, the increase in retiring baby boomers, high rates of employee turnover, and more. Despite all of these factors, there has not yet been a full shift from the must-have college degree mindset to a learn-and-earn model that could better support employers and employees.

The skills gap has been making headlines for years. For companies in manufacturing, construction, and other skilled trades it's more than a news story, it's a fact of life. Despite proposed changes in legislation and educational structures, many are still struggling to find the employees they need to fill vacant positions.

Have you ever lost your keys? Been locked out of your house? Struggled to install a security system? You're not alone. Every single day people require the talents and skills of professional locksmiths and home security technicians.

Finding the ideal employee isn't easy. Someone with the perfect mix of skills and experience is unlikely to simply walk through your door. Most candidates will meet some of your requirements but lack skills in other key areas.