iowa’s creative corridor synchronist supplemental workforce survey 2015 iowa city area development...

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Iowa’s Creative CorridorSynchronist Supplemental

Workforce Survey 2015

Iowa City Area Development Group and the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Table of ContentsExecutive Summary 3Companies Participating 4Survey Responses 5-47

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Executive SummaryStarting in 2010, the Iowa City Area Development (ICAD) Group started sending a small,comprehensive workforce survey as an addendum to our annual existing industry interviewsconducted with Synchronist. The aim was to collect more data as it related to the limited workforcequestions already posed in the Synchronist battery.

Specifically, this survey, targeted to local executives and HR professionals, compiles quantitative andqualitative data regarding workforce recruitment, culture and retention, diversity, education and skills, internships and workforce recruitment through the military.

While not a scientific sample, this survey points economic development agencies in the region in theright direction. With these answers and examples, we are better prepared to investigate immediateworkforce challenges and opportunities and innovate programs to meet future demand.

This year’s survey was conducted from July 2015 to October 2015. Interstate commerce companiesthroughout the seven county region known as Iowa’s Creative Corridor were contacted by mail, e mail‐and in person to complete the web based survey. Forty four companies responded this year.‐ ‐

These companies, listed on page 3, represent 10,953 jobs in Iowa’s Creative Corridor.

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Companies ParticipatingACH Foam Technologies ACT, Inc.CDS Global Centro, Inc.City of Cedar Rapids City of CoralvilleCity of Marion ClickstopCompleWare Corporation ConAgra Foods Cedar Rapids PlantDiamond V DuPontF&M Bank Freund-Vector CorporationGE Capital Genova TechnologiesGirl Scouts of Eastern Iowa Western Illinois Greater Iowa City Area HBAIAC (International Automotive Components) IDx LLCIntegrated DNA Technologies Iowa Fluid PowerKazoo Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.Leepfrog Technologies, Inc. LoparexMidwest Metal Products MidWestOne BankMMS Consultants, Inc. PMX Industries, Inc.Radiology Protcols Riverside Casino & Golf ResortRobert Half Accountemps Robert Half TechnologySculptSedgwick CMSStamats The Gazette CompanyThompson Truck & Trailer Toyota Financial ServicesTSF Structures, Inc. United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI)West Music Company Xerxes Corporation

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 4In the past year, at your facility, how many new hires were:

Position # of Positions

Non-management - Hourly (approx #)

1,245

Non-management - Salaried (approx #)

411

Other management (e.g., directors, managers) (approx #)

140

Executive/upper management (approx #)

16

Contract/Temp Usage (approx #)

284

n = 38

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 3In the past year, at your facility, how many total new hires?• Across 37 companies, their hires totaled 1,746

n = 37

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 6As of today, what's your current number of unfilled positions?• Across 38 companies, their unfilled positions total 1,245

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 7Currently, which position(s) are the most challenging to fill (select all that apply)?

n = 32

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 8Currently, which position(s) are the most challenging to fill (select all that apply)?

n = 33

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 10, 11 and 12Did any of these salaried or management level hires have trailing family members that were also looking for work?Did they need assistance? If so, what services or guidance did you provide?Did this have an impact on their decision to relocate to Iowa's Creative Corridor?

n = 30

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 15For all facilities in the Corridor, do you anticipate the % of new hires from OUTSIDE the area will be…

n = 36

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 16For all facilities in the Corridor, do you anticipate the % of recent college grads you will hire to be…

n = 36

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 17On a scale of 1-7 how difficult do you think it is to attract candidates from OUTSIDE the region? (1 being not difficult, 4 difficult and 7 very difficult)

n = 35

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 18On a scale of 1-7, how challenging are the following factors when attracting talent from OUTSIDE of Iowa's Creative Corridor?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 19What have you found to be your best tools or strategies for attracting talent from OUTSIDE the region? Please provide 2.

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 20Within your Corridor facilities, at any time have you hired members of the military who are transitioning to civilian work? If yes, do you know how many current members of your staff are former military?Among 33 employers, they have 196 former military

n = 33

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 24What are the top 2 reasons salaried and management level employees leave your company?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 25What are the top 2 reasons hourly, contract and/or temporary employees leave your company?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 26How many of your employees are retirement eligible?

n = 31

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 27What are the top 2 reasons people stay at your company?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 28What do your employees value most?

n = 26

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 31For those employees you do not retain what is the most common length of employment? (When do you most commonly lose people?)

n = 29

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 33Does your company have a formal diversity initiative or employee resource group (ERG) to aid in retention? If yes, please explain.

n = 29

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 34Are a majority of your diverse employees...

n = 31

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 36Does your organization have an internship program (click all that apply)?

n = 30

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 37In the past year, approximately how many interns have you had on staff?

n = 17

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 38What are the primary benefits your company associates with your internship program? Please select all that apply:

n = 17

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 39On a scale of 1-7, please rate the following characteristics of interns at your organization.

n = 16

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 40Over the next 3 years, do you anticipate the use of interns at your organization to be…

n = 17

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 41Which schools do you rely on the most? Please list the top three schools below.

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 43What challenges do you attribute to managing or establishing an internship program?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 44In general, what basic skills/knowledge gaps do job applicants have in your industry? Please select all that apply.

n = 23

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 45Specifically, what ADVANCED SKILLS gaps do job applicants have in your industry?

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 46Are you hiring or do you anticipate a need for employees who speak a foreign language?

n = 30

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 47Which foreign language(s) specifically?

1. Spanish2. Arabic3. French4. Hindi5. Japanese6. Norwegian

n = 11

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 50How are your current employee training programs being met?

n = 30

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 51Over the next 12 months, what are your top 3 workforce priorities?

n = 23

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Question 52There are multiple workforce development programs currently available in Iowa's Creative Corridor.

n = 29

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Synchronist Supplemental Workforce Survey

Contact InformationDaLayne Williamson, PHR/GPHR, SHRM-SCPWorkforce Business Services DirectorIowa City Area Development Groupwww.icadgroup.com319/354-3939

Allison AntesWorkforce StrategistCedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliancewww.cedarrapids.org319/398.5317