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I. Introduction <br />The economic landscape has undergone significant changes since the <br />release of the 2007 Skills Survey of North Carolina Employers. Many <br />employers have been forced to focus on their human capital to help <br />them survive. As the economy rebounds they face new challenges as <br />they seek skilled employees who can help them grow their organizations <br />and become an integral part of their existing workforce. <br />Business Services Representatives affiliated with the twenty -three <br />Workforce Development Boards in North Carolina felt compelled to <br />conduct a new survey of North Carolina's employers as a follow up to <br />the 2007 Skills Survey. A new survey would seek to determine current <br />skills needs, identify any skills gaps that might exist, find out which skills <br />they find most valuable and identify the challenges employers face with <br />recruiting the talent they need. We also had an interest in knowing <br />where they were securing their current labor force; and, what training <br />resources they have used. Additional questions were included in the <br />survey instrument as it was developed. <br />A survey was conducted throughout North Carolina during a seven week <br />period. Data from the surveys was collected and analyzed from 1,152 <br />valid respondents. Responses were received from employers in all 100 <br />counties in North Carolina. Written comments collected from an open <br />ended question at the end of the survey were also analyzed and <br />categorized. These comments provided additional supporting <br />documentation and explanation to responses. <br />This report is a summary of key issues noted in the survey and reflects <br />the current status of workforce skills needs in North Carolina based on <br />the survey data. The findings appear to confirm anecdotal evidence and <br />other findings that have emerged about workforce skills shortages at the <br />regional and national levels. 1 1 2 3 <br />While stakeholders across North Carolina have made great strides to <br />address some of the issues raised in the 2007 Skills Survey of North <br />Carolina employers, we now have fresh data that will be valuable as we <br />begin to address the current skills needs identified. The information in <br />1 -4 Page 282 <br />