Many unemployed adults in the United States are confident that they will find a job in the next year—and a new study shows that they’re more than willing to learn. Investing in training programs is a great way for businesses to tap into this talent pool.
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Unemployed U.S. adults seeking work say that lack of experience is the main obstacle that prevents them from finding a job and that training would increase their chances of job offers, according to the results of an American Staffing Association (ASA) Workforce Monitor survey.
Unemployed Adults Seeking Work
Announced in a press release, the survey shows that 40% of unemployed U.S. adults (excluding retirees) are currently looking for work. These unemployed jobseekers are optimistic about their work future despite being unemployed, on average, for just over 3 years. Nearly three in four (72%) are confident that they will find a job within the next year. The two most common reasons for their current state of joblessness are that they were permanently laid off (22%) or they voluntarily quit their jobs (19%).
Unemployed jobseekers also say that training is critical to their ability to reenter the workforce. Four in five (82%) agree training would increase their chances of receiving job offers, and nearly nine in ten (88%) would be willing to work in a new field if training was provided.
Unemployed Adults Not Looking for Jobs
The U.S. unemployed (excluding retirees) not seeking work have been out of the labor force, on average, for 6 years. The two explanations cited most often for why they are not looking for a job are that they have enough money (30%) or because of ongoing health issues (27%).
What would it take to get them off the workforce sidelines? Half of these respondents say schedule flexibility, good benefits, and a livable wage would encourage them to look for a job. However, training is even more important; nearly three in four (73%) would be willing to work in a new field if training was provided.
“U.S. employers are grappling with workforce supply issues because of a shrinking labor pool and skills gaps,” said Richard Wahlquist, ASA president and chief executive officer. “Companies can—and should—tap into this large and growing segment of the population by investing in training to help fill the millions of job openings in the U.S.”
Method
Harris Poll® conducted the survey online within the United States on behalf of ASA between August 14 and August 24, 2015, among a total of 1,000 unemployed U.S. adults aged 18 and older of whom 519 identified as looking for work and 118 identified as not looking for work. Results were weighted on age, education, race/ethnicity, household income, and geographic region where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the U.S. population.
Visit the ASA Workforce Monitor to learn more about the survey and to download the results.