Employers in Bruce, Grey, Huron and Perth counties continue to struggle to find enough workers to fill job vacancies.
The fourth annual Employer One Survey found local employers facing increasing challenges coping with worker shortages.
More employers also reported feeling dissatisfied with the availability of qualified workers, and employers continued to report that soft skills are necessary for workplace success.
59% of employers had difficulty filling at least one position in 2017, and 29% of these spent over a year searching for workers.
This year, more employers reported reaching out to Employment Ontario service providers or paid recruitment agencies for assistance or expanded their search for workers beyond the immediate area.
Four County Labour Market Planning Board Executive Director Gemma Mendez-Smith says there are projects aimed at recruitment, retention, and training are underway in each of the four counties.
She adds there are increasing efforts to deal with the impact of worker shortages in midwestern Ontario by boosting the skills of local talent and recruiting from outside the region.