Job training a major concern for local businesses
Local businesses put job training near the top of their concerns in two economic surveys this year.
Job training, recruitment and growth issues dominated the surveys coordinated by the Kalispell Area Chamber of Commerce.
The chamber was the lead agency for a couple of dozen economic development entities in interviewing 85 of the largest and fastest-growing companies in Flathead County to see what their concerns are.
Meanwhile, the chamber also conducted its annual business climate survey among its own members, getting roughly 100 responses.
The new economic development survey is dubbed the Northwest Montana Business Expansion and Retention study, and consisted of confidential interviews conducted between January and September. Fifty-four businesses were located in Kalispell, with the rest in Whitefish, Columbia Falls and the rural county.
That survey found that:
-Many companies see a need for training in basic job-holding skills.
-Technical skills needed by local firms are not necessarily those held by the local work force.
-More people need training to be supervisors. Thats something we heard over and over again, Chamber president Joe Unterreiner said.
-Thirty-seven percent of the respondents had recruiting worries, and 20 percent had worker retention problems.
-Fifty-two of the responding companies had used local economic development entities for help.
-An overwhelming majority thought the local business climate is good and will continue to be so.
-Local education, recreation and many government services received high marks.
-Affordable housing and local taxes took the biggest criticisms, along with building inspections, roads and land-use issues.
More surveys will be conducted in 2006 to keep the statistical picture up to date, said Patti Gregerson, the Business Expansion and Retention program manager. The information will be used to plan and tweak local economic development efforts, she said.
The annual chamber survey showed the areas rapid growth was the top concern. However, this is the first year that growth issues were asked on the survey. Unterreiner said the responses will likely lead the chamber to focus on growth and job issues in 2006.
Here are some snapshots of the Chamber survey:
-Growth led concerns in 2005, closely followed by labor issues, and then business expansion and transportation.
In 2004, business expansion was the chief concern, followed by land-use issues and then workforce matters.
-This year, 43 percent think their companies jobs will grow in 2006, 1 percent expect to lose employees and the rest expect to remain the same. In 2004, 43 percent thought their companies would add employees and 2 percent expected to lose jobs.
-In 2005, 71 percent predict increased revenues in 2006 , with 2 percent predicting revenue losses. That closely mirrors the 2004 surveys predictions.
-In 2004, 99 percent of the respondents rated the chambers performance as excellent or good. That figure is 95 percent for 2005.
Reporter John Stang may be reached at 758-4429 or by e-mail at jstang@dailyinterlake.com