Recruitment Challenges Easing for State and Local Governments, New Report Finds
2024年7月23日 - 11:00PM
After years of unprecedented workforce shortages, state and local
governments are finally experiencing some relief in recruitment
challenges. Key occupations, including information technology,
dispatch, and policing, have seen a decline of at least ten
percentage points since 2022 in the share of governments reporting
these positions as hard to fill. However, a significant workforce
issue still looms: the impending wave of public service worker
retirements.
These findings are detailed in a new research report, State
and Local Workforce: 2024 Survey Findings. Conducted annually
since 2009 by MissionSquare Research Institute in collaboration
with the Public Sector HR Association (PSHRA) and the National
Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), this survey
focuses on recruitment, retention, compensation, and staff
development challenges faced by state and local governments.
Read the research.Watch a video detailing the research
findings.
“The data indicate that state and local governments are making
real progress when it comes to addressing their workforce
shortages,” said Gerald Young, MissionSquare Research Institute
Senior Researcher. “Government employers have been experimenting
with a range of initiatives that are getting results – marketing
campaigns, hiring bonuses, pay boosts, and modifications to job
requirements. The next challenge for state and local leaders will
be ensuring they have ample workers as a large portion of the
workforce retires from public service.”
Additional key survey findings are as follows:
- Anticipated
Retirements: 54% of respondents expect the largest wave of
retirements to occur in the next few years. To prepare, 32% have or
are developing formal succession planning processes.
- Compensation:
While 73% respondents consider their total compensation
competitive, only 60% believe their wages are competitive.
Approximately 53% have implemented broad-based pay increases in the
past year.
- Staffing
Trends: About 21% of governments report full-time staffing
increases of 5% or more, while only 2% report decreases.
- Hiring
Bonuses: Bonuses are offered broadly (4%) or in a targeted
manner (33%), with 13% requiring repayment if an employee stays
less than one year.
- Degree
Requirements: More than half of the respondents have dropped
some degree requirements, with 8% eliminating them for more than
10% of authorized positions.
“State and local leaders should be applauded for their tenacity
when it comes to addressing the public workforce crisis,” said
PSHRA CEO Cara Woodson Welch. “While challenges remain, agencies
are making real progress attracting and keeping qualified workers
to deliver essential public services through strategic human
resources initiatives. PSHRA and its members will utilize these
findings as we continue to implement pragmatic solutions that
ensure a stable workforce citizens can rely upon.”
“It’s so encouraging that we’re seeing results from the
thoughtful worker recruitment and retention strategies deployed by
jurisdictions,” said NASPE Executive Director Leslie Scott Parker.
“For example, efforts to modify job descriptions and degree
requirements clearly are helping fill positions. It’s also clear
that raising salaries is helping address the public worker
shortage, which is increasingly important given the impending wave
of retirements.”
The survey, conducted from March 8 through April 25, 2024,
involved 300 state and local government human resource staff
respondents.
About MissionSquare Research InstituteMissionSquare
Research Institute promotes excellence in state and local
government and other public service organizations to attract and
retain talented employees. The organization identifies leading
practices and conducts research on retirement plans, health and
wellness benefits, workforce demographics and skill set needs,
labor force development, and topics facing the not-for-profit
industry and education sector. MissionSquare Research Institute
brings together leaders and respected researchers. More information
and access to research and publications are available here.
About MissionSquare RetirementSince our founding in 1972,
MissionSquare Retirement has been dedicated to simplifying the path
to retirement security for public service employees. As a
mission-based, nonstock, nonprofit financial services company, we
manage and administer over $78.5 billion in assets.* Our commitment
to delivering results-oriented retirement plans, education,
investments, and personalized advice sets us apart. Explore how we
enable public service workers to build a secure financial future.
For more information, visit www.missionsq.org or follow the
company on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X.
*As of June 30, 2024. Includes 457, 401, 403(b), Retirement
Health Savings (RHS) plans, Employer Investment Program (EIP)
plans, affiliated IRAs, and investment-only assets.
Kelly Kenneally
MissionSquare Research Institute
media@missionsq.org