Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel (92 percent), succession planning (80 percent), and staff development (79 percent) are ranked as the most important issues for the second year in a row by state and local government human resources managers, according to a survey by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence.

“This year’s survey provides more evidence of the changing workplace as baby boomer retirements accelerate," said Elizabeth K. Kellar, the center's president. "The real question is whether or not local governments have a plan to fill the growing number of vacancies with qualified candidates.”

Governments continue to have difficulty recruiting for a range of positions, including finance, IT, skilled trades, and public safety. The skill sets they most need in new hires are interpersonal, technology, and written communication skills.

Hiring is a growing trend. The percentage of governments hiring has increased to 77 percent in 2016, an increase from 27 percent in 2013, 66 percent in 2014, and 73 percent in 2015. For this year’s survey, 41 percent report hiring contract and temporary workers.

Governments are experiencing an uptick in retirements. Fifty-four percent (54 percent) of respondents report that retirements were higher in 2015 than in 2014. Twenty-one (21 percent) of retirement-eligible employees are delaying their retirements, a notable decline from a rate of 46 percent in 2009.

The State and Local Government Workforce: 2016 Trends report reflects the survey responses of members of the International Public Management Association for Human Resources and National Association of State Personnel Executives. The online survey was conducted from March 15 to April 7, 2016, by the Center for State and Local Government Excellence with 331 members submitting responses.