Finding A Skilled Workforce Has BIG Impacts On Your Business Location

Unemployment rates and job availability statistics only tell part of the workforce story here in America. Business owners often lament that while there may be enough people to fill jobs, the available workers often lack the skills necessary to get the job done. That is part of the reason that the availability of a skilled workforce in proximity to your business is a major factor in determining the location that will work best for your company.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of unemployed Americans in March of 2015 was a little more than 8.5 million, while during that same time period, the number of available jobs in the U.S. was 5.1 million. So, the problem is not the number of potential employees. It’s whether they have the capacity to perform. In a recent survey of 5,000 CEOs performed by Inc., 76% of them said finding qualified people was a “major problem.”

The key is to find a place that has the facilities to train and educate its workforce, but also offers a quality of life that keeps them there. You want to find a place to locate your business in the sweet spot: an available skilled workforce with a low risk of flight. That sweet spot is North Carolina. Here’s why:

• The 16 campuses of the University of North Carolina system span the state, providing high-quality education at a public school price. With significant state investment, the state system offers an extraordinary education at tuition rates well below the national average.
• North Carolina’s 58-campus community college network ensures there is a higher education facility within 30 miles of every resident in the state. Customized workforce training programs and a wide variety of occupational certification and continuing education programs are accessible to all.
• In addition to college graduates, more than 10,000 well-trained, mature job-seekers enter our labor force every year after completing their military service in North Carolina. This number is on the rise as they recognize North Carolina’s lower than most Veteran’s pension tax rate.

The final statistic to keep in mind is this one: North Carolina’s workers are 36% more productive than the U.S. average. Why? Because happy workers are more productive. The quality of life, climate, recreational activities, and lower cost of living in North Carolina all combine to make workers happy to be here - even when they’re at work.

Relocating a business is an important decision, and there are many factors to consider. Don’t overlook the advantage of an available, productive, skilled workforce when choosing your new location.

Thinking about making a move to North Carolina? Get our free guide to help you weigh all the options.