1©SHRM 2008 SHRM Weekly Online Survey: February 19, 2008

Workforce Readiness

• Sample comprised of 333 randomly selected HR professionals.

• Analyzing 333 responses of 2,850 emails sent, 2,770 emails were received (response rate = 12%).

• Survey fielded February 19 – February 29, 2008; presentation generated on March 11, 2008.

• Margin of error is +/- 5%.

2©SHRM 2008 SHRM Weekly Online Survey: February 19, 2008

Lack of Competencies in Workers Entering Workforce

58%

25%

10%8%

54%

19% 19%

8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

Some workers lackcompetencies

Very few workers lackcompetencies

Workers do not lackcompetencies

Most new workerslack competencies

2008, n=331 2005, n=366

Note: Percentages do not total 100% due to rounding.

3©SHRM 2008 SHRM Weekly Online Survey: February 19, 2008

Areas Where Workers Lack Competencies

2008 (n = 310) 2005 (n = 294) ***

Differences Between 2005 and 2008

Motivation and self-direction** 51%

Critical thinking/problem solving** 50%

Overall professionalism 49% 59% Decrease

Written communication (English)* 41% 58% Decrease

Customer service 34% 40% Decrease

Business knowledge 34% 44% Decrease

Leadership** 33%

Analytical skills 31% 47% Decrease

Creativity and innovative thinking** 28%

Verbal communication (English)* 25% 44% Decrease

Teamwork and collaboration* 24% 30% Decrease

Note: Percentage does not total 100% as multiple responses were allowed. “**” denotes option was not available in previous year survey. “*” denotes option was re-worded for 2008 survey.“***” – source : SHRM 2005 Future of the U.S. Labor Pool Survey Report

4©SHRM 2008 SHRM Weekly Online Survey: February 19, 2008

Areas Where Workers Lack Competencies (continued)

2008 (n = 310) 2005 (n = 294) ***

Differences Between 2005 and 2008

Relationship building 23% 36% Decrease

Financial literacy* 20% 16% Increase

Cultural and cross-cultural knowledge** 18%

General skills, overall 15% 28% Decrease

Mathematics 14% 26% Decrease

Reading/comprehension ** 13%

Use of technology* 13% 21% Decrease

Foreign language skills** 13%

History/Geography** 4%

Work ethic 4% 3% Increase

Humanities/Arts** 2%

Science** 2%

Note: Percentage does not total 100% as multiple responses were allowed. “**” denotes option was not available in previous year survey. “*” denotes option was re-worded for 2008 survey.“***” – source : SHRM 2005 Future of the U.S. Labor Pool Survey Report

5©SHRM 2008 SHRM Weekly Online Survey: February 19, 2008

Level of Agreement That Workers Entering The In The Next 10 Years Lack Competencies

11%

44%

37%

8%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree