Over half of Missouri employers expect reset, return of pre-COVID staffing levels by year-end

Most Missouri employers report workforce fluctuations because of COVID-19 but just over 50 percent expect to be back to pre-COVID staffing levels by the end of 2021, according to a statewide survey by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

An employer survey portion of the Economic and Workforce Report tracks job growth, hiring trends, skill shortages and other data points. This year’s survey was delayed to collect information about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Missouri’s workforce.

“It’s clear from the data the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic impact presented major challenges for Missouri businesses,” Veronica Gielazauskas, assistant commissioner for performance and strategy for the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development said in a report by KTTN. “However, the fact that most employers anticipate retaining employment levels over the next 12 months, and that a greater percentage of employers plan to expand employment next year, gives reason for optimism moving forward.”

“Many employers may continue having employees that are able to be productive continue working from home after the pandemic is under control,” Ray McCarty, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Missouri, said in a report by The Center Square. “The second biggest challenge for employers is trying to follow all the changing federal, state and local guidelines in their effort to keep their employees and customers safe.”

According to the survey, the greatest shortages are in skilled trades and patient care as the workforce saw a lack of workers who had advanced skills or knowledge related to the trade, which continues to be the largest barrier to expansion.