Download - Redc Workforce Study
Purpose
Short Term: Assist Businesses in Finding Qualified Workers
Long Term: Transition the Workforce to a Higher Skills Economy
Position the Memphis Region to Compete with Other Major Regions in the Global Economy
STUDY AREA
52 Counties8 Sub-Regions
Who Will Benefit
Existing Business and Industry Economic Development Organizations Local Governments Workforce Investment Boards K-12 Educators Colleges and Universities Training Providers
Objectives
Document the Current Strengths and Weaknesses of the Workforce
Quantify Hidden Labor Resources
Identify Unmet Training Needs
Use Regional Perspective to Match More People with Jobs
Objectives
Develop Business and Economic Targets for each Sub-region
Identify Roles and Areas of Specialized Research for Higher Education
Inform K-12 Educators of Workforce Needs and Trends
Process
Interviewed 3,600 Workers
Collected 364 Employer Surveys
Interviewed 65 Key Workforce Influencers
Conducted 5 Focus Groups of Community Representatives
Key Assets
Huge Hidden Potential Workforce Underemployed 188,795 Not Employed, Wanting Work 328,795 Recent College Graduates 14,500 Total Hidden Labor Supply 532,090
Key Assets
Large Percentage of Employed and Not Employed are Interested in Training 58.9% Want to Upgrade Skills – 799,510 Leading Fields of Interest among Workforce:
Computer Related Medical Related Any Type of Training that will Lead to a Better
Job
Key Assets
Regional Population Younger than National Average, which is Preferred by Some Companies
Employers Report Ability to Recruit Talent from Outside Region Situation has Improved from Earlier Studies Situation Better in Memphis than in Rural Areas Improved Perception of Quality of Life is a Factor
Key Assets
Employers Report: Satisfactory Work Ethic and Productivity Good Availability of Unskilled and
Semi-Skilled Workers Region Perceived as a Low Wage Location Belief that Region Can Support Higher Skilled
Emerging Industries
Key Assets
Excellent Foundation for Economic Expansion Higher Number of Post-secondary Institutions than
Comparable Southeastern Regions Good Corporate Presence and Base Fed Ex Hub and Other Excellent Transportation
Assets Existing Industry Clusters
Key Assets
Logistics Gaming FurnitureAluminum Products Machinery Medical
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Existing Industry Clusters
Su
b-r
egio
ns
Key Assets
Auto Parts
Ag Support
Textiles &
ApparelFood &
BeverageElec.
Equip.Polymer Products
Metal Fabrication
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Existing Industry Clusters
Su
b-r
egio
ns
Key Challenges
Size of Workforce has Declined
Population Base Growing More Slowly than US
Key Component of Workforce (Ages 20-34) Regional Projected 5-yr Growth -0.7% National Projected 5-yr Growth 5.1%
Key Challenges
Household Incomes are Low
Educational Attainment is Low
Public School Performance is Mixed
Performance in Math and Science is Low
Number of Degrees Awarded in Math, Sciences and Engineering is Low
Key Challenges
Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region
Population Size
Population Growth Median Age HS Degree (%) 12-15 Years Education (%)
4-Year College Education (%) Elasticity
La
bo
r A
va
ilab
ility
Key Challenges
Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region
General Business Support N/A Technical/Professional N/A N/A Production N/A N/A Computer/IT N/A N/A N/A N/A Management N/A
Ability to attract outside talent
Oc
cu
pa
tio
ns
Key Challenges
Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region
Basic Skills Basic Computer Skills Work Ethic/Productivity Labor Costs L
ab
or
Qu
alit
y
& C
os
ts
Key Challenges
Some Gaps Exist Between Education, Workforce Development and Business
African-Americans are Under-represented in High-Tech Occupations
Key Challenges
Need Stronger and Sustained Commitment for Change among: Leadership Educators – Local and State Level Workforce Investment Boards Private Sector
Need Support for a Common Vision
Situation Summary
Region is Diverse Many Assets will Support Economic
Expansion Good Industry Base – 12 Clusters At Least Nine Targets for Growth Formidable Workforce Challenge Current Workforce Development System
Disjointed and in Some Areas Ineffective
Recommendations
Alternative Fuels
Auto Parts & Assy.
Bio-Logistics
Bio-Sciences
Logistics
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Target Industries
Su
b-R
egio
ns
Recommendations
Office Operations
Film/MusicVisitor/ Gaming
Ag Support
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Target Industries
Su
b-R
egio
ns
Recommendations
Create a Regional Workforce Partnership Coordinate Sub-Regional Activities Assist in Developing Industry Consortia Transfer of Best Practices Coordinate Lobbying Efforts Promote Broad Ownership of Workforce Development Pursue Grants and Other Funding for the Region Identify Programs that can be Merged or Better
Coordinated Establish Vision, Goals, Measurements
Recommendations
Much Stronger Role for the Private Businesses Build Industry Consortia such as BioWorks and the
Northwest TN Healthcare Consortium to Allow Industries with Similar Needs to Work Together to Influence the Quality of the Workforce
Better Communicate Emerging Career Opportunities to Lower Income Youth, Begin Communication in the Early Grades
Development and Adoption of Sound Hiring Policies for People with Arrest Records
Recommendations
Much Stronger Role for the Private Businesses Define Skill Needs and Communicate to Educators
and Workforce Developers Develop Tests to Measure Workforce Preparedness Guaranteed Jobs for Students who Pass Test More Recruiting at Local Schools and Universities
Recommendations
Much Stronger Role for Private Businesses More Work-study Programs, Mentoring,
Career Planning Make Junior Achievement Style Programs Broadly
Available, Build on Popularity of The Apprentice
Create Vice President of Workforce Development Position
Assist in Public Transportation Planning to Provide More and Better Access to Jobs
Recommendations
State Level Education Policies: Direct College Scholarships to Programs that
Support the Economy – Math, Sciences, Engineering and on Teachers for those Areas
Set Goal for the Region to Become National Leader in Math and Science Graduates
Expand and Promote Technical Training
Recommendations
State Level Education Policies: Evaluate Two Path System (TN) Provide Quick Response to Employer Need for
New Programs and Courses More Use of Career Laddering Programs such
as the Health Care Program in Arkansas
Recommendations
Local Education Policies Expand and Promote Vo-tech Training Develop Programs to Reduce the Drop-out Rate Coordinate and Unify Middle School Programs Place Emphasis on Math, Sciences, Language and
Critical Thinking Use Tests Developed by Businesses to Measure
Workforce Preparedness
Recommendations
Hold National African-American New Economy Workforce Development Conference Goal: Coalesce Ideas, Identify Solutions, Develop
Vision as a National Leader, Create Action Plan Involve Top National Thinkers and Leaders
Expand the Talent Magnet Program to Make it Useful to the Suburbs and Greater Region
Implementation Network
Company-Based Intern Career Pathing
Company-Based Adult Career Development
National Impact
Selected for Economic Development Administration Funding
First to Use Online Workforce Data Delivery System
More Potential Funding and Recognition for Sub-regional Initiatives to Follow