2025 Workforce Outlook: Andrea Sitzes

What does the workforce climate look like currently?
In southwest Missouri, and within our region, it varies between our counties. Some of our more rural counties have a higher unemployment rate than Greene or Christian County proper. But, overall, we have a very strong workforce climate. We are considered by definition fully employed within our region. But that doesn’t mean that there still aren’t those that are underserved or can upskill to improve their place in the workforce. Upskilling and aligning our workforce with the jobs that are open is a constant challenge right now.

How has inflation affected the workforce, and how are employers rising to meet the needs of job seekers?
We’re still riding the tail end of that wave from COVID where people just need something different. We saw this flight from work and lots of people shifting roles or industries, myself included. When you look at employers and meeting those needs, if they’re able to, there are more flexible benefits, flex time and trying to entice the workforce if it’s not your traditional 9 to 5. There are more opportunities for volunteer hours that are paid, and all of those little things to assist your associates to feel like there’s an impact there or to allow them to plug into their passion.

According to research from Harvard University, companies like Google and Delta Airlines have removed some degree requirements, and the paper ceiling is tearing. Is that something we’re seeing here locally? Are employers looking more for people who have the skill sets and not necessarily the degree requirements?
That’s actually something that through the economic development industry I started hearing as a theme probably five or six years ago. At the core of it, employers are looking for someone that can show up, do the job, have the work ethic to get it completed and have integrity when they’re doing so. A degree doesn’t really give you the assurance that that’s going to happen. It can definitely help with your knowledge base, but if companies are really looking for a specialized skill set, those skills aren’t taught through college degrees all the time anyway. So, if you look at those core skills of problem solving, being able to have situational awareness and a strategic thinker, those are the things that while degrees are a good first filter for employers, a lot of times get beyond that first filter.

For various reasons, a lot of employees seem to be seeking side hustles. Are more people going to be their own entrepreneurs versus working for a traditional company?
The flexibility that people are seeking and the gig economy, if you will, is starting to change that landscape. There’s so many different ways and platforms for people to make residual income that oftentimes they can stack enough of those programs, (and) then it becomes a primary or replaces a primary income. Some people are opting to go that route just for the flexibility or creating their own schedule versus a traditional nine-to-five or that eight hours in the workplace.