Are You Having Hiring Problems?

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, Peter Cappelli, George W. Taylor professor of management at the Wharton School and director of Wharton's Center for Human Resources, found that even though unemployment is at nine percent, many companies are still having trouble filling positions.

“They want prospective workers to be able to fill a role right away, without any training or ramp-up time. In other words, to get a job, you have to have that job already. It's a Catch-22 situation for workers—and it's hurting companies and the economy,” he writes.

Part of the reason employers are having this problem is that they’re unwilling to train perspective employers, writes Cappelli. Apprenticeships, which are successful in Europe, won’t necessarily work in the U.S. To fix this problem, he suggests:

• Work with education providers to train perspective employees, such as community colleges.
• Use aspects of apprenticeship, including a longer probation period with lower pay during training.
• Promote from within, giving current employees projects that will teach them new skills.

Is your company having trouble filling jobs? What do you think of Cappelli’s suggestions to fill roles?