SHRM Survey Findings: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce
October 3, 2012
In collaboration with and commissioned by Achieve
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• This is the fifth part of a series of SHRM/Achieve survey findings titled “Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements.” These results look at changes in the workforce.
• The following nine industries were included in the sample. Overall results are reported first, followed by industry-specific results for the following industries:
Construction, mining, oil and gas
Federal government
Finance
Health
High-tech
Manufacturing
Nonprofessional services
Professional services
State and local government
Introduction
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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• How are organizations different now than they were 10 years ago? Overall, organizations cite several key changes. The most commonly chosen differences across all industries are increased staff size 53%), increased number of jobs with specific technical requirements (51%), higher education level requirements for most jobs (46%), increased employee diversity (45%) and fewer entry-level jobs (31%).
• What industries were most likely to report that higher education levels are required today in their industries compared with a decade ago? Health (54%), manufacturing (52%), state/local government (48%) and federal government (46%) were most likely to report higher education requirements today than those needed 10 years ago.
• What industries were most likely to report that they have more jobs with specific skills requirements today compared with a decade ago? High-tech (73%), manufacturing (56%), construction, mining, oil and gas (56%), state/local government (53%) and health (51%) were most likely to report an increase in the number of jobs with specific technical requirements today compared with 10 years ago.
• What changes do organizations predict will affect them in the next three to five years? The changes organizations are most likely to forecast are an increased number of jobs with specific technical requirements (60%), increased staff size (55%), higher education level requirements for most jobs (50%), increased employee diversity (49%) and more jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math (31%).
• What industries are most likely to predict a need for higher education levels for most jobs? Manufacturing (59%), health (56%), high-tech (51%), state/local government (51%) and professional services (49%) were most likely to predict a need for higher education levels for most jobs in three to five years compared with today.
• What industries are most likely to predict more jobs with specific technical requirements? High-tech (79%), manufacturing (71%) and construction, mining, oil and gas (69%) were most likely to predict that there will be more jobs with specific technical requirements in their industry in three to five years compared with today.
Key Findings
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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• What education levels do organizations believe will experience the greatest increase in demand over the next three to give years? Organizations across industries are most likely to report an increased need for bachelor’s degree holders (55%), advance degree (e.g., master’s, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) holders (41%) and specific postsecondary certificates/credentials (32%).
• What industries were most likely to report an increase in the need for employees holding the following education credentials?– Advanced degrees: High-tech (56%), health (51%) and professional services (49%) were
most likely to predict an increased need for employees with advanced degrees.– Bachelor’s degrees: Health (62%), manufacturing (58%), construction, mining, oil and gas
(57%), finance (57%) and high-tech (56%) were most likely to predict an increased need for employees with bachelor’s degrees.
– Associate’s degrees: Manufacturing (36%), state/local government (31%) and health (29%) were most likely to predict an increased need for employees with associate’s degrees.
– Specific postsecondary certificates/credentials: Health (40%), manufacturing (39%) and construction, mining, oil and gas (36%) were most likely to predict an increased need for employees with specific postsecondary certificates/credentials.
– High school diplomas: Manufacturing (26%), construction, mining, oil and gas (24%) and nonprofessional services (24%) were most likely to predict an increased need for employees with at least a high school diploma.
Key Findings
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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All Industri
es(n =
3,135)
Construction, Mining,
Oil and Gas(n = 311)
Federal Governme
nt(n = 173)
Finance(n = 336)
Health(n = 415)
High-tech(n = 289)
Manufac-turing
(n = 382)
Non-professional Services(n = 224)
Professional
Services(n = 472)
State/Local
Government
(n = 533)
Increased staff size 53% 58% 39% 63% 65% 58% 45% 51% 56% 40%
More jobs with specific technical requirements
51% 56% 43% 40% 51% 73% 56% 31% 49% 53%
Higher education level required for most jobs
46% 39% 46% 44% 54% 43% 52% 33% 44% 48%
Increased employee diversity
45% 41% 47% 45% 45% 44% 44% 49% 47% 47%
Fewer entry-level jobs 31% 22% 41% 25% 28% 42% 31% 17% 37% 31%
Decreased staff size 29% 24% 44% 21% 21% 18% 36% 30% 25% 45%
Think about your organization’s workforce today compared with 10 years ago. What are the differences?
Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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All Industri
es(n =
3,135)
Construction, Mining,
Oil and Gas(n = 311)
Federal Governme
nt(n = 173)
Finance(n = 336)
Health(n = 415)
High-tech(n = 289)
Manufac-turing
(n = 382)
Non-professio
nal Services(n = 224)
Professional
Services(n = 472)
State/Local
Government
(n = 533)
More jobs related to science, technology, engineering and math
26% 30% 25% 14% 20% 58% 36% 10% 28% 19%
More jobs that are service-oriented
23% 19% 15% 33% 37% 20% 8% 40% 22% 20%
Greater reliance on temporary or contingent workers
21% 18% 21% 15% 14% 21% 38% 22% 17% 20%
More entry-level jobs 18% 20% 8% 26% 18% 12% 21% 26% 15% 14%
Lower education level required for most jobs
1% 1% 1% 1% 2% 1% 1% 1% 1% 1%
Other 3% 1% 5% 4% 6% 2% 2% 2% 2% 6%
Not sure 8% 9% 9% 6% 6% 10% 8% 9% 10% 5%
Think about your organization’s workforce today compared with 10 years ago. What are the differences? (continued)
Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce
©SHRM 2012
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Think about your organization’s workforce in the next three to five years. Compared with today, what are the differences?
Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.
All Industries
(n = 3,414)
Construction,
Mining, Oil
and Gas
(n = 345)
Federal
Government
(n = 190)
Finance
(n = 361)
Health
(n = 440)
High-tech
(n = 326)
Manufacturing
(n = 417)
Non-
professional
Services
(n = 247)
Professional
Services
(n = 527)
State/Local
Government
(n = 561)
More jobs with
specific technical
requirements
60% 69% 52% 49% 62% 79% 71% 42% 58% 55%
Increased staff size 55% 70% 30% 66% 56% 70% 52% 55% 64% 29%
Higher education
level required for
most jobs
50% 43% 42% 46% 56% 51% 59% 40% 49% 51%
Increased
employee diversity49% 48% 45% 53% 48% 49% 50% 45% 50% 48%
More science-,
technology-,
engineering- and
math-related jobs
31% 37% 28% 16% 25% 61% 44% 13% 31% 22%
Fewer entry-level
jobs30% 19% 41% 25% 32% 37% 34% 18% 30% 34%
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Think about your organization’s workforce in the next three to five years. Compared with today what are the differences? (continued)
Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to multiple response options.
All Industries
(n = 3,414)
Construction,
Mining, Oil
and Gas
(n = 345)
Federal
Government
(n = 190)
Finance
(n = 361)
Health
(n = 440)
High-tech
(n = 326)
Manufacturing
(n = 417)
Non-
professional
Services
(n = 247)
Professional
Services
(n = 527)
State/Local
Government
(n = 561)
More service-
oriented jobs29% 23% 22% 43% 40% 27% 12% 43% 29% 26%
Greater reliance
on temporary/
contingent workers20% 17% 27% 12% 14% 20% 25% 21% 17% 25%
Decreased staff
size 19% 7% 49% 11% 17% 11% 18% 15% 15% 33%
More entry-level
jobs19% 28% 12% 21% 15% 18% 17% 28% 19% 13%
Lower education
levels required for
most jobs1% 1% 1% 1% 1% 0% 1% 1% 0% 1%
Other 3% 2% 4% 4% 4% 2% 2% 2% 2% 4%
Not sure 7% 7% 7% 6% 6% 3% 6% 10% 8% 10%
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? All Industries
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 3,386)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 3,290)
Associate’s degree (n = 3,275)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 3,409)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 3,338)
16%
32%
25%
55%
41%
68%
62%
67%
43%
56%
16%
5%
7%
2%
3%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Construction, Mining, Oil and Gas
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 342)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 336)
Associate’s degree (n = 326)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 344)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 331)
24%
36%
22%
57%
33%
67%
62%
75%
41%
64%
9%
2%
4%
1%
2%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Federal Government
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 189)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 184)
Associate’s degree (n = 183)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 190)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 191)
7%
30%
26%
52%
45%
69%
63%
62%
46%
51%
24%
7%
11%
3%
5%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Finance
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 362)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 338)
Associate’s degree (n = 338)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 362)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 350)
13%
22%
23%
57%
38%
73%
71%
72%
41%
61%
14%
6%
5%
1%
1%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Health
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 435)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 426)
Associate’s degree (n = 428)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 438)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 434)
17%
40%
29%
62%
51%
69%
57%
62%
37%
47%
14%
3%
9%
2%
1%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? High-tech
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 319)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 310)
Associate’s degree (n = 314)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 326)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 321)
9%
28%
18%
56%
56%
63%
61%
69%
42%
44%
27%
11%
13%
2%
1%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Manufacturing
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 415)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 402)
Associate’s degree (n = 402)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 415)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 404)
26%
39%
36%
58%
39%
64%
58%
60%
40%
58%
10%
3%
5%
2%
3%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Nonprofessional Services
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 245)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 239)
Associate’s degree (n = 238)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 244)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 238)
24%
26%
23%
44%
27%
67%
70%
73%
54%
68%
10%
4%
5%
2%
5%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? Professional Services
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 518)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 505)
Associate’s degree (n = 501)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 527)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 520)
8%
29%
19%
52%
49%
70%
62%
71%
46%
48%
22%
9%
10%
3%
2%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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Do you anticipate that your organization’s needs for employees at the following education levels will increase, stay the same or decrease over the next three to five years? State/Local Government
Note: Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
High school diploma or equivalent only (n = 561)
Specific postsecondary certificate/credential(s) only (n = 550)
Associate’s degree (n = 545)
Bachelor’s degree (n = 563)
Advanced degree (e.g., master's, MBA, Ph.D., M.D., J.D.) (n = 549)
13%
35%
31%
52%
32%
71%
61%
64%
45%
64%
16%
3%
5%
3%
4%
Decrease
Stay the same
Increase
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
Survey Methodology
SHRM Survey Findings: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements
In collaboration with and commissioned by Achieve
• Response rate = 18%
• 4,695 HR professional respondents from a randomly selected sample of nine different industries in SHRM’s membership
Construction, mining, oil and gas = 491
Federal government = 356
Finance = 530
Health = 526
High-tech = 447
• Margin of error +/-1%
• Survey fielded March 28-April 30, 2012
Manufacturing = 526
Nonprofessional services = 479
Professional services = 492
State and local government = 848
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SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012
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SHRM Survey Findings: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements
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About SHRM Research
SHRM/Achieve Survey: Changing Employee Skills and Education Requirements—Changes in the Workforce©SHRM 2012