• Take the Survey of Rural Challenges
  • Small Town Speaker Becky McCray
  • Shop Local video
  • SaveYour.Town

Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource

A row of small town shops
  • Front Page
  • Latest stories
  • About
  • Guided Tour
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • RSS

Tight workforce problem and possible solutions

By Becky McCray

In a rural area, even a small improvement in the local economy can quickly dry up the pool of job applicants.

The neighboring town of Woodward, Oklahoma, is benefiting from the boom in natural gas production and the many high-paying jobs that boom has created. Except that it is straining the supply of people in the local workforce. Now Woodward is looking at many unfilled openings.


This points up the problem not just with the number of people, but also with skills and training. An article in the local Woodward News explains:

But for everyone the real problem seems to be not just finding workers, but finding qualified workers.

These are people I know from my time with workforce development in Woodward. They told me five years ago that basic skills in math and reading are part of the issue. Many potential workers also get disqualified because of drug or alcohol related offenses in the past.

I don’t have any quick-fix solutions, but here are two important points, adapted from Charles Lawton.

1. Local education must teach skills needed in your area.

Start with basic reading and math and go from there. Small business people have to take the lead in tying education to business skills because we know what skills we need. Get involved in the local workforce development process.

2. Business has to look beyond wages

Notice in the Woodward News article, the only benefit discussed was wages. We have to also consider work/life balance, career paths, and other people issues. If you have trouble finding anyone, don’t just offer higher wages. Expand your thinking to make your jobs more attractive.

Tight workforce problems are too complex for a simple answer. I’m open to hearing your opinions and experiences.

New to SmallBizSurvival.com? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates.

  • About the Author
  • Latest Posts

About Becky McCray

Becky started Small Biz Survival in 2006 to share rural business and community building stories and ideas with other small town business people. She and her husband have a small cattle ranch and are lifelong entrepreneurs. Becky is an international speaker on small business and rural topics.
  • Rural Tourism Trend: electric vehicle chargers can drive visitors - January 15, 2023
  • 2023 trends for rural and small town businesses - December 26, 2022
  • Local reviews on Google Maps drive enduring value - December 17, 2022
  • Extra agritourism revenue from camping, cabins and RVs with HipCamp - December 12, 2022
  • Harvest Hosts attract vanlifers and RV tourists, Boondockers Welcome - December 2, 2022
  • Holiday 2022 marketing: Tell your founding story - December 1, 2022
  • Holiday 2022 Marketing: Tell your customers’ stories - November 30, 2022
  • Holiday 2022 Marketing: Introduce your people - November 29, 2022
  • Holiday 2022 Marketing: Share your holiday traditions - November 28, 2022
  • Holiday Marketing 2022: Support your service businesses - November 22, 2022

February 2, 2007 Filed Under: economic development, workforce

Wondering what is and is not allowed in the comments?
Or how to get a nifty photo beside your name?
Check our commenting policy.
Use your real name, not a business name.


Don't see the comment form?
Comments are automatically closed on older posts, but you can send me your comment via this contact form and I'll add it manually for you. Thanks!

Howdy!

Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.

We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.

Meet our authors on the About page.

Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.

If you would like permission to re-use an article you've read here, please make a Reprint Request.

Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.

Shop Local

Buy local buttonReady to set up a shop local campaign in your small town? You'll need a guide who understands how we're different and what really works: Shop Local Campaigns for Small Towns.

Best of Small Biz Survival

What is holding us back? Why does every project take so long in small towns?

How any business can be part of downtown events by going mobile

Concert-goers talking and enjoying the evening in downtown Webster City, Iowa.

Why do people say there’s nothing to do here then not come to our concerts?

Retailers: Fill all empty space, floor to ceiling

More of the best of Small Biz Survival

Copyright © 2023 Becky McCray
Front Page · Log in