In the recent RSM McGladrey U.S. Manufacturing and Wholesale Distribution Survey, nearly half of companies surveyed said they would increase their work force in 2010. That’s triple the percentage that hired in 2009. Nearly two-thirds of distributors and nearly half of manufacturers said hiring sales professionals was a priority in 2010.

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According to the survey however, both manufacturers and distributors continue to have difficulty in finding qualified workers. Tom Murphy, executive vice president of manufacturing and wholesale distribution for RSM McGladrey, said in a press release:

\”While the country is facing some of the highest unemployment rates in several years, there is a shortage in those who are qualified for skilled positions. As businesses continue to modernize facilities, invest in new products and improve efficiencies, this need will only increase. And with high levels of unemployment, there’s a growing desire to train not only the next generation of skilled workers, but those who were displaced during the economic downturn.\”

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The survey also highlighted growth trends among distributors and manufacturers of different sizes. Nearly one-third of companies in the survey with revenue of $500 million or more reported their businesses were \”thriving and growing.\” But that percentage decreases among companies with less than $25 million in revenue. Just 19 percent of that group said their business is \”thriving and growing.\” That said, overall, just 10 percent of all companies said their business conditions are declining, which is a significant improvement from past surveys.

The full survey results are here.