Executive Summary
General Overview
The 2024 WorkTrends Employer Study, conducted by the Center for the Future of Work at Oklahoma State University's Spears School of Business surveyed 419 employers across various industries and business sizes, most of which are headquartered in Oklahoma. The findings indicate that the state's workforce is generally robust, with employers excelling in talent retention and flexibility. Notably, *90% of employers report success in retaining employees, with more than half (56%) indicating they retain talent very well. The ability to offer flexibility—especially through hybrid work arrangements—is a key driver of employee attraction and retention, with 66% of employers providing flexible work options. However, challenges and opportunities still exist as noted below.
While employers effectively attract and retain talent, challenges persist, particularly concerning recruitment speed and skill alignment. Despite Oklahoma's population growth—adding more than 30,500 employed residents since 2020, largely due to domestic in-migration—employers struggle to find candidates with the specific skills required for many roles. This is especially true for positions necessitating specialized professional degrees, with 45% of employers reporting difficulty filling these roles. Changes in Attracting and Retaining Talent
Changes in Attracting and Retaining Talent, cont.
Additionally, while a majority of employers offer employee development plans to compensate for missing skills, most delegate decision-making to individual managers who subjectively determine training approaches rather than utilizing skill data or a structured process to identify development needs. The lack of a data-driven approach to training could limit the effectiveness of these programs in addressing the future demands of the workforce.
How well are you table to attract talent?
*90% found by adding together extremely well, moderately well, very well.
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