| Gaining a better understanding of recruitment processes and providing current employees with more learning and training opportunities is essential to reducing employee attrition and, in effect, creating a more sustainable workforce and community. Toward this end, this qualitative research study sought to understand employee attrition among nonagricultural-based employers in an agricultural-based community by examining educational opportunities, training, and other growth and development opportunities that may affect employee attrition, recruitment, and retention. The specific research question this study addressed is as follows: What are the contributing factors that can reduce employee attrition rates in agricultural-based communities for companies that offer education, training, and non-seasonal job opportunities for employees? To address this question, the researcher interviewed agricultural and nonagricultural-based employers in Yakima County, Washington, where seasonal or migrant workers dominate the employment sector, using semi-structured open-ended questions. The research findings determined there was a correlation between a lack of resources (employer, community, and employee) and employee attrition that is contributing to the overall economic health of the community. This study investigated different perspectives and innovative approaches that could open new doors for both agricultural and nonagricultural employers and thereby help eliminate employee attrition. |
