Time is running out for local business owners to take part in the annual Employer One survey. 
Chatham-Kent Workforce Planning Board Project Manager Kristi Jacobs says with the municipality’s economy on the rise, getting employer feedback will help better understand what area businesses are looking for when it comes to their staff.
“For example, one of the survey questions we’ve asked for the last six years are what are the most in-demand competencies and skills that you’re looking for, and year after year soft skills have come up,” Jacobs says. “So out of that, a soft skills training program has been developed that’s on the shelf for employers to use with their staff, or have someone come and deliver it to them, free of charge.”
The results are also shared with the local school boards so they know what industries are looking for skilled workers.
Jacobs says the survey isn’t terribly time consuming.
“Depending on the size of your workforce and the amount of experiences you’ve had, it can take anywhere from five to 20 minutes to fill out,” she says. “I know in a busy day it can be a lot of time, but in the long run it’s a pittance of time to give us some really good information.”
You can fill out the survey online, call the Workforce Planning Board at 519-436-3299 or email ckworkforce@chatham-kent.ca until January 31st.