The data also show that demand for qualified workers is strong. More than 10,900 full-time positions went unfilled in the second quarter due to a lack of qualified applicants. This is a slight change from the first quarter when 64 percent of available full-time positions were not filled due to a lack of qualified applicants. Lamphear urged caution in interpreting that statistic. Further, it takes time to find suitable matches of jobs and skilled workers at virtually all occupational levels.
Unfilled positions are an indication of how intense the search is for new employees.
However, state development officials stress that there are numerous opportunities for trained workers in the state because the tight market for trained employees is not stopping businesses from expanding. The survey is a joint project of the Nebraska departments of Economic Development and Labor and the Bureau of Business Research.