Businesses reported that almost half (48 percent) of Oregon’s job vacancies in 2013 were “difficult to fill,” according to a new report from the Oregon Employment Department.
According to the study, 24 percent of employers said there was a lack of qualified candidates; 23 percent said cited a lack of applicants; 17 percent of employers said unfavorable working conditions made it difficult to fill positions; 11 percent said low wages made filling the jobs difficult; and 9 percent cited a lack of work experience as a barrier to filling opening.
The study also suggested small employers – those with two to 19 employees – had the most difficulty filling positions. Employers in Northwest Oregon, Eastern Oregon, and the Willamette Valley had the most difficulty filling jobs.
The full report is available online.