Survey: Why Do Jobs Go Unfilled?

Survey: Why Do Jobs Go Unfilled?

Businesses Blame Lack of Applicants

Right Experience and Skills Are Hard to Find

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TORONTO, April 20, 2016 - Express Employment Professionals released new survey results today revealing why open jobs go unfilled.

The findings come from a survey of 340 businesses. Respondents were asked, "What is the primary reason that your open jobs go unfilled?"

The number one answer, given by 41 per cent of respondents, was "lack of available applicants."

Another 26 per cent chose "lack of experience," while 15 per cent said "lack of hard skills."

These results track closely with the results from each quarter of 2015 except for the percentage of respondents who chose "lack of available applicants." That number was seven percent higher than the first quarter of 2015. 

"This is a common theme we have heard for a while-even when the unemployment rate was higher. Too often, businesses can't find the right people, and as this survey suggests, sometimes they just can't find people at all," said Bob Funk, CEO of Express.

"In some ways, this is good news. It suggests that more people are going back to work. But it also reaffirms a troubling trend: the mismatch between the skills people have and the skills employers need. Not only does that keep workers unemployed, it can also drive some to give up on looking for work altogether-and that's tragic."

The survey of 340 businesses, which are current and former clients of Express Employment Professionals, was conducted in December 2015. 

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If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk to discuss this topic, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has franchises in the U.S., Canada and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than 6 million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated $3.02 billion in sales and employed a record 500,002 people in 2015. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 37 Express franchises in Canada - six in British Columbia, five in Alberta, two in Saskatchewan, 23 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.