Region jobs set to grow, but area lacks enough skilled, drug-free workers

About 23 percent of employers nationally plan to hire full-time, permanent employees next year, and in the region, manufacturing and construction jobs are set to increase. Employment in the automotive industry and warehousing and logistics also is poised to improve next year, according to region sources.

A Center of Workforce Innovations report released earlier this year sees region employment growing at a rate of 1.7 percent in 2012 and 1.5 percent in 2013.

However, some recruiters remain concerned about a lack of skilled workers who are drug free to fill positions that will be open. Read more, E1.