Skilled Workers Among CEO Top Concerns

June 9, 2006
For at least 35 years, manufacturing executives have lamented the shortage of skilled workers. They're still are. Significantly, however, in one recent survey a higher percentage of CEOs said a lack of skilled, trained workers was a greater potential ...

For at least 35 years, manufacturing executives have lamented the shortage of skilled workers. They're still are. Significantly, however, in one recent survey a higher percentage of CEOs said a lack of skilled, trained workers was a greater potential barrier to business growth than were higher oil and other energy prices.

Nearly half -- 49% -- of 312 CEOs of privately held, fast-growing U.S. manufacturing and service companies interviewed by PricewaterhouseCoopers foresaw a shortage of qualified workers as a potential barrier to business growth during the next 12 months.

Roughly the same percentage -- 48% -- were concerned about the effect a lack of demand might have on their businesses, and 38% worried about pressures for higher wages. A third of those surveyed -- 33% -- were concerned that higher energy prices would slow growth.

The companies the CEOs head range in size from about $5 million to $150 million in annual revenue or sales.

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