FRANKLIN/GREENWOOD, Ind. – Aspire Johnson County, the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Johnson County, surveyed local employers this summer
on issues shaping economic growth. When it came to workforce and talent, business leaders highlighted rising expectations for a more skilled and educated workforce.
In an online survey conducted by Aspire’s Business Advocacy Council, nearly 60% of employers identified “availability of trained and educated employees” as a top concern, making it the most frequently noted challenge. More than half also cited the “overall quality of the talent pool” (54%), strongly highlighting employer demand for high-quality applicants. A tight labor market (40%) and a lack of soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and professionalism also ranked high.
“Employers tell us they can train employees on the technical aspects of the job but can’t train soft skills, and they don’t want to,” said Aspire Johnson County president/CEO Christian Maslowski.
Cost of labor also emerged as a leading concern (35%), underscoring that talent is both underprepared and more expensive to recruit and retain. When asked about education levels required to meet workforce needs, 61% of employers said at least some positions can be filled with a high school diploma, while nearly half (48%) reported requiring a bachelor’s degree for other roles.
Another 29% seek an industry-recognized credential. Even among small businesses, nearly half reported requiring a bachelor’s degree, illustrating rising expectations for candidate educational attainment across the board.
Despite concerns about applicant quality, employers reported relatively low vacancy rates. Almost half (47%) said 10% or fewer positions were unfilled, and nearly one-third (32%) reported no openings. Still, the top reasons cited for unfilled positions mirrored their larger concerns: quality of applicants (40%) and inadequate training or education (32%).
Encouragingly, many employers are investing in talent pipelines. Forty-three percent offer college internships, 41% host job shadows or site visits, and nearly one-quarter provide high school internships or apprenticeships, often in combination.
Responding companies came from a broad spectrum of industries. Notably, the top categories of manufacturing, finance, professional services, and construction mirror leading sectors driving Johnson County’s economy. Small businesses had a strong voice, with 52% reporting fewer than 50 employees in Indiana. 17% were major employers with more than 500 employees.
Aspire conducted the survey to shape its policy priorities and advocacy efforts. The organization will share results with elected officials and use them to guide economic development strategies that support Johnson County businesses.
