Small business owners in Pennsylvania want to expand but are struggling to find qualified workers, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) reported recently.
Pennsylvania’s unemployment numbers remain low but lag behind the national rate, NFIB noted.
“Finding qualified workers is the number one problem that small business owners in Pennsylvania face,” NFIB said in a news release. “Despite talk about a slowing economy, hiring remains historically strong. The problem is small business owners report they cannot find qualified workers to fill the open jobs. NFIB members have expressed interest in workforce training and apprenticeship programs.”
The June 2019 numbers from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor showed that the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.8 percent.
Pennsylvania’s civilian labor force, which includes both residents who are working and those who are looking for work, fell by 2,000 to 6,469,000. Nonfarm jobs decreased by 1,400 to 6,044,200. Jobs increased in five of the 11 industries, with the largest growth in information. The industry, which includes data and communications, added 1,900 jobs.
NFIB also noted that small business owners remain optimistic about business conditions. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index increased by 1.4 points to 104.7 in July.
NFIB also noted that, in his budget address, Gov. Tom Wolf announced the proposal of a Keystone Economic Development Workforce Command Center. A bill currently in the House of Representatives, HB 522, would create a Career & Technical Education Investment Incentive Program. HB 425 would establish a school-to-work pilot program that enables businesses to work directly with schools to design career programs.
“NFIB will continue to work with legislators to find a solution to the qualified worker problem,” the organization said.