Mosaic experienced a sudden surge in training enquiries during the last few weeks of 2009 (the end of the noughties). We assumed this was associated with the end of the GFC induced slow down in Australia but there would appear to be a deeper problem.
The Australian Institute of Management (AIM) has just released a major survey that suggests that 40 per cent of Australian organisations are already seeing a negative impact on profits and performance goals caused by a skills shortage; 76% of more than 2,000 executives surveyed said their organisations have a workforce ‘skills gap’ where the term ‘skills gap’ was defined as the gap between an organisation’s skills needs and its current employee capabilities.
Interestingly, 65% of the respondents who did not think there is a skills gap in their organisation, believe their organisations have avoided a skills gap by a strong commitment to training and development.
Survey participants said the single biggest skills deficiency in Australian organisations was ‘leadership’. The major skills deficiencies identified by respondents were:
- Leadership 45%
- Professional or industry specific skills 43%
- Process and project management skills 36%
- Managerial skills 31%
- Communication/interpersonal skills 31%
Given our workshops and PMI Credential courses cover most of these shortages, it looks as tough we are in for a busy start to 2010; however, before then we are planning to slow down through the holiday period to recover and prepare for a busy 2010 starting with our first PMP and CAPM course on the 11th January.
Wishing you all a happy, safe and peaceful Christmas and New Year.
Pat Weaver
Lynda Bourne
Aavssitedev's Blog