A newly released survey from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce said more job skill training is being sought to upgrade worker talent, while some employers questioned said they would not return to pre-COVID-19 staff levels.

Part of an annual workforce survey (13th year) conducted through the Chamber’s Institute for Workforce Excellence, the survey questioned 937 respondents across a range of industries in September.

The report said employers are aggressively trying to train workers to a higher skill level than in the past.

“For years, we have heard leaders in the business community lament the lack of skilled employees to meet their workforce needs,” Indiana Chamber President and CEO Kevin Brinegar said on the Chamber web page. “It appears they are now tackling the issue head-on, offering additional opportunities to attract talent for today and tomorrow.”

Approximate increases of 30% to 50% were noted in areas including student visits to job sites, high school and college internships, apprenticeships and students spending time with a mentor watching them do their work.

Less optimistic was a report that of 22% of employers who cut their staffs because of the COVID-19 pandemic, 35% said they would not return to pre-pandemic levels. An estimated 41% said they would expect the size of their business force to increase over the next two years, a decline from 45% in 2019.

In addition employers (43%) said they will task their employees with more jobs to do, 18% retraining employees to use new technology, with 12% automating more job functions.

The report seemed to indicate a move to a more lean, efficient and skilled workforce.

“With more than 40% of employers saying they expect to have employees perform additional job functions next year, and a fifth saying they have already transitioned employees to utilize their skills in other roles, employers will need to invest in their existing workforce in the coming months to help navigate these changes,” Bill Turner, executive director of Skillful Indiana National Rework America Alliance and Delivery Markle Foundation said.