Workforce Readiness
Submitted by Tiffani Ewing, SHRM-CP, HR Indiana SHRM Workforce Readiness Director
Untapped Talent
Talented individuals in traditionally underemployed groups are eager to enter the workforce—yet are often overlooked as job candidates. These groups include individuals with disabilities, the spouses of military personnel, veterans, people with criminal histories, and young adults neither in school nor in the workforce. Although many of these people seek employment and offer employers a significant source of potential workers, they can remain overlooked for job opportunities. Companies that do make a concerted effort to reach out to these groups have found them to be tremendous assets. The skills these individuals bring to their jobs can make them uniquely well positioned to succeed in specific roles. For example, military veterans often bring innovation, flexibility, and problem-solving skills to the workplace, earned by working in exceptionally challenging circumstances when they served. According to the U.S. Department of Defense, military spouses—92% of whom are women in their prime working years—experience an unemployment rate of 21%, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. They are often well educated and have learned to be nimble and adaptable because their lifestyles require it. About a quarter of U.S. residents (26 percent) have some type of disability, which often unfairly impacts their job prospects. Individuals with criminal histories—who make up one third of the U.S. populace—also encounter significant hiring bias. Many completed their education while incarcerated, have been taught valuable job skills, and are willing to take on roles that are traditionally difficult to fill. Finally, there are nearly 5 million individuals ages 16 to 24 who are neither enrolled in school nor participating in the labor force—whom SHRM calls “opportunity youth.” When companies partner with advocacy organizations to recruit and employ these young people, 96% report positive results. Read the full article and related case studies in the SHRM HR Quarterly Magazine: Fall 2024.
Links to each SHRM category of Untapped Talent:
