---
title: "Data Nugget: Workforce Woes"
id: "39115"
type: "post"
slug: "data-nugget-workforce-woes"
published_at: "2017-08-01T08:50:18+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-16T20:01:36+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/01/data-nugget-workforce-woes/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/01/data-nugget-workforce-woes.md"
excerpt: "The workforce challenges facing association employers, according to a recent survey."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "AssociationsNow"
  - "Business"
  - "job recruitment"
  - "talent pipeline"
  - "workforce"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "Executive Team"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Data Nugget: Workforce Woes

Associations are facing a variety of workforce challenges, according to [Association Laboratory’s recent “Looking Forward 2017” survey (opens in a new tab)](http://www.associationlaboratory.com/)
. More than half of the 300-plus respondents attributed their challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff to a scarcity of candidates, especially as large numbers of older staffers are retiring.

To meet their workforce needs, associations will have to find new solutions, which could include “adopting nonemployee or strategic contractor relationships and exploring more distributed business models that don’t rely on employees or people within a concentrated geographic area,” says Dean West, president of Association Laboratory. “Instead, using remote workforce technology and cloud-based systems, they can engage people with the necessary skills regardless of their location, broadening their available talent base.”

### Factors Contributing to Association Workforce Challenges

**53 percent:** Fewer younger workers to replace retirees

**52 percent:** The supply of qualified workers is limited

**39 percent:** Meeting staff development needs

**37 percent:** Providing benefits that attract younger workers

**35 percent:** Creating an attractive career path

(Ingram Publishing/Thinkstock)

[ASAE Staff](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

[More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/asae-staff/)

Tags: [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/)
 [#job recruitment](https://associationsnow.com/tag/job-recruitment/)
 [#talent pipeline](https://associationsnow.com/tag/talent-pipeline/)
 [#workforce](https://associationsnow.com/tag/workforce/)

**Stay Informed**

[Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/)
, *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day.

## You Might Like

- [PodcastWorkforce Development in Associations: AI, Adaptability, and the Power of DEIOctober 15, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/15/workforce-development-in-associations-ai-adaptability-and-the-power-of-dei/)
- [VideoThe Impact of Delayed Retirement on Your Association’s Bottom-LineFebruary 26, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/02/26/the-impact-of-delayed-retirement-on-your-associations-bottom-line/)
- [ArticleThe Bold Reset: Consultants as Solutions to Today’s Talent and Pipeline Challenges in AssociationsNovember 17, 2025](https://associationsnow.com/2025/11/17/the-bold-reset-consultants-as-solutions-to-todays-talent-and-pipeline-challenges-in-associations/)
- [Video🚀 The Agile Association Professional: How to Pivot Your Career Path When the Strategic Plan ShiftsJuly 28, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/07/28/the-agile-association-professional-how-to-pivot-your-career-path-when-the-strategic-plan-shifts/)

## Comments

**Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/)

[Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2017%2F08%2F01%2Fdata-nugget-workforce-woes%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!