---
title: "Data: Associations Are Facing Workforce Gaps"
id: "10632"
type: "post"
slug: "data-associations-are-facing-workforce-gaps"
published_at: "2017-08-28T04:00:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-03-15T02:49:09+00:00"
url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/28/data-associations-are-facing-workforce-gaps/"
markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2017/08/28/data-associations-are-facing-workforce-gaps.md"
excerpt: "Associations are facing a variety of workforce challenges, according to Association Laboratory’s recent “Looking Forward 2017” survey (opens in a new tab). More than half of the 300-plus respondents attributed their challenges in recruiting and retaining qualified staff to a..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Career Development"
taxonomy_post_tag:
  - "ASAEcenter"
  - "Employee Retention"
  - "job recruitment"
  - "staffing"
  - "workforce"
taxonomy_content_format:
  - "Article"
taxonomy_role:
  - "Association CEO / Executive Director"
  - "C-Level"
  - "Executive Team"
  - "VP"
taxonomy_persona:
  - "Association Professionals"
---

[Home](https://associationsnow.com/)
 » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/)
 » Data: Associations Are Facing Workforce Gaps

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

Fewer younger workers to replace retirees

53%

The supply of qualified workers is limited

52%

Meeting staff development needs

39%

Providing benefits that attract younger workers

37%

Creating an attractive career path

35%

[This article was originally published in the *Associations Now* print edition, titled “Workforce Woes.”]

Tags: [#Employee Retention](https://associationsnow.com/tag/employee-retention/)
 [#job recruitment](https://associationsnow.com/tag/job-recruitment/)
 [#staffing](https://associationsnow.com/tag/staffing/)
 [#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/)
- [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/)
- [ArticleWhat You Need to Know About “Boomerang” HiresDecember 13, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/12/13/what-you-need-to-know-about-boomerang-hires/)

## 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%2F28%2Fdata-associations-are-facing-workforce-gaps%2F%23comments)
 to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/)
!