Workforce training needs in the food industry

Are you a food producer or foodservice operator in the Skowhegan labor market? We want to hear about your challenges in recruiting, training, and retaining employees. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. Responses will be kept confidential and represented only in the aggregate. These responses will be used to inform the types of workforce training solutions that can be addressed on a regional basis.
1.What type of establishment are you?
2.Where are you located?
3.When does your establishment operate?
4.What is the position of the respondent?
5.How many full-time equivalent employees do you have?
6.What methods do you use to advertise job openings? Check all that apply.
7.Do you face challenges in recruiting employees? If your establishment conducts multiple operations, e.g., healthcare and foodservice, please answer the survey only in relation to your food production or foodservice employees.
Strongly disagree
Disagree
Neutral
Agree
Strongly agree
8.Foodservice: For what foodservice jobs do you face recruitment challenges?
9.Food production. For what food production jobs do you face recruitment challenges?
10.What types of challenges do you face in retaining employees?
11.What hard skills do potential employees and/or new hires lack?
Yes
No
Not applicable
On-the-job kitchen or production experience
Food safety certification
HACCP planning and implementation
Mis en place
Knife skills
Safe operation of machinery and equipment
Cooking, baking, or batchmaking
Menu planning
Inventory management
Technology skills, e.g., Point-of-Sale, inventory, etc.
Estimating, budgeting, measuring, etc.
Employee supervision
12.What soft skills do potential employees and/or new hires lack?
Yes
No
Not applicable
Customer service
Work ethic
Adaptability
Communication
Conflict resolution
Teamwork
Organization
Time management
Problem-solving
Leadership
13.What strategies do you use to recruit and retain employees?
Offer
Do not offer
Would like to offer
Competitive wages
Health insurance
Retirement
Paid time off
Collaborative problem-solving opportunities
Safe work environment
Positive workplace culture
Mission-driven establishment
Work/life balance
Access to mental health services
Opportunities for advancement
Tuition reimbursement
Childcare
Transportation assistance
Housing assistance
14.Is there anything else you would like share about workforce recruitment, training, and retention?
15.Do you want to be involved in planning and/or implementing solutions for workforce challenges? Please provide your name and email.
16.Would you like to respond to the other surveys?