Gannett News Service
Finding and retaining qualified workers continues to be a critical issue, according to American Express Small Business Services.
"This dilemma affects small firms disproportionately because they don’t have the human and financial resources that larger companies have to develop their own programs," general manager and senior vice president Jim Blann said.
He recommended four possible solutions:
1. Create a central information repository. Time-taxed entrepreneurs need information, readily accessible to them in one location, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Linking entrepreneurs to existing successful programs would help.
2. Incorporate more internship programs into high school curriculum. Small firms struggle to take part in school-to-work programs. A greater emphasis on placing interns at smaller businesses is sought.
3. Small-business owners need to enact own local solutions. Small business owners should work with schools to expand curriculum to cover those skills needed to succeed in the work place.
4. Take advantage of the growing number of older workers. Develop programs that assist workers of any age, especially older people, who are making up a greater percentage of the population every year.
[back to top] |
