I had a lot of fun last Friday being interviewed during a call-in talk show on KPCC — an NPR station in Southern California.  The subject was Another Side of the Jobs Picture…   The purpose was to discuss whether or not there truly is a skills mismatch or shortage.

Based on ManpowerGroup’s recent research, we see that there is.  52% of the employers we interviewed are having trouble filling key position.  The counterpoint to my point was a woman from the UCLA Institute for Research on Jobs and Employment.  She tried to argue that there was no evicence of a talent mismatch — but I didn’t feel her arguments were very strong.

And those who called into the radio program — and most of those who have commented on the story — agree with me.  Employers are having trouble finding people with the skills they need.  And employees who have been well trained and who have the education required for today’s jobs are finding they have their pick of positions.

So what do you think?  Is there a skills mismatch?