The Chatham-Kent Workforce Planning Board is encouraging business owners to take the Employer One Survey.
Project manager Kristy Jacobs said the board will gather data collected from the survey and then use that to try and fills gaps within the workforce.
This is the fifth year that the survey is being conducted in Chatham-Kent. Jacobs said it has proven to be a tool in aiding business owners if they are willing to take approximately 15 minutes to fill out the survey.
"Over the last few years, some of that data that came out said [employers] had a hard time hiring for certain positions because they just didn't get enough responses ... out of that, was born the CK Works Community Job Fair that happens in the fall," said Jacobs.
The survey revolves around what employers found challenging in 2018 and what could use improvement. Jacobs said last year they had a great response so this year they are hoping to hear from more employers.
"Last year was amazing, we had targeted 250 and we ended up surpassing that by about 40," she said. "We set some higher goals this year, and now we really need the help from employers in Chatham-Kent."
Jacobs adds there is an incentive to get employers to fill out the survey.
"We're running weekly incentives," she said. "Any employer that completes the survey, by the end of the day Friday we do a draw for some Tim Hortons gift cards."
The Employer One Survey can be found online at ckworkforcedev.com. Those who have questions or need help to fill out the survey may also call officials at the Workforce Planning Board at (519) 436-3299. The survey is only available until January 31.
