Small business owners also said workforce development was the number one most important issue facing California businesses today at 36 percent. Third was improving performance in the schools at 17 percent. Still, it came through loud and clear that there are issues looming out there such as higher workers' comp premiums and transportation problems that could hurt them if not dealt with in the near term. The informal poll was taken at the California Chamber's 2000 Small Business Legislative Conference. Approximately 600 small business representatives attended.
Many employers say a major challenge they have is finding qualified employees.
The California Chamber is the largest broad-based employer representative in California. Membership is nearly 12,000 and includes firms of all sizes and companies from every industry throughout the state.