EMPLOYERS EXPLAIN WHAT THEY WANT IN WORKERS

Southeast Missouri employers say they are seeking employees with work skills, a desire to learn and dedication.

These traits were among those given in a work-force survey of the Task Force on Enhancing Basic Skills and Values, a group formed following a Southeast Missouri State University Education Business/Industry Summit held on the university campus more than a year ago.

David A. Kunz, of the university's accounting and finance department, discussed the survey's results at the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce's First Friday Coffee Friday.

Survey objectives were to define what area employers wanted in prospective employees, Kunz said.

Survey results will be sent to all area schools.

The task force, headed by Harold Tilley of the Cape Girardeau Vo-Tech School and Randall D. Shaw of the university's industrial technology department, sent out questionnaires to more than 5,500 businesses in 8th Congressional District.

More than 350 employers, or 7 percent, responded, Kunz said, and of that group, 130 were service industries, and 98 percent small businesses.

Employers were asked to rank nine basic skills and nine work values, based on the importance of those skills and values, when looking at prospective employees.

Some 42.8 percent of employers placed the employee's willingness to accept work obligations atop the list. A third of the employers said the desire and ability to learn were important.

The overall conclusion, Kunz said, was that employers want employees who can communicate effectively, solve problems and, in general, want to learn.

"Employers also place a premium on employees who accept work-place obligations and are committed to quality work," he said.

In general, employers want employees with a solid work ethic who can interact with others and work effectively as team members, Kunz said.

WORK FORCE SURVEY RESULTS

Basic skills

Desire to continue to learn, 33.5 percent.

Communicate effectively, 22.1 percent.

Read and comprehend, 15.3 percent.

Solve problems, 14.8 percent.

Understand technology, 5.2 percent.

Understand free enterprise, 3.1 percent.

Use interpersonal skills, 2.9 percent.

Manage personal finance, 2.3 percent.

Use math skills, 0.8 percent.

Work values

Accept work obligations, 42.8 percent.

Accept responsibility and leadership roles, 13.8 percent.

Value work, 11.2 percent.

Commit to quality, 10.6 percent.

Work with others, 8.3 percent.

Follow safe practices, 6.8 percent.

Recognize common goals, 2.6 percent.

Adapt to pressure, 2.3 percent.

Set career goals, 1.6 percent.