Workforce Statistics
A critical tool for decision-makers as they struggle with these questions is real time workforce intelligence generated by traditional labor market data gathering and other survey methodology, in partnership between state and local government and education.
We believe that this report contributes to that intelligence and we are committed to continuing the process of data gathering and analysis that will help make the critical decisions for our workforce and economy.
Summary
Some say that the mark of an individual's character is determined by how they handle life when faced with adversity. The same can largely be said of a region in terms of how local economic and workforce development communities come together to jointly address a severe economic downturn. The extent to which both communities have developed a learning curve from past major layoff events and economic cycles can determine how nimbly and effectively a region can mitigate the effects of high unemployment and a slow business climate. Learning from the past combined with active efforts to study how current events are different than past downturns are both critical to meet the needs of local businesses and dislocated workers in the St. Louis region.
This study was a joint effort by St. Louis Community College, St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment, the St. Louis County Division of Workforce Development and Missouri Economic Research Information Center (MERIC) to profile the economic landscape of the St. Louis Metro area by examining the business climate, identifying employment trends and patterns of worker dislocation. The results will hopefully provide decision makers the needed guidance to more effectively support and align services for both local business and dislocated workers in the St. Louis region.
The first section of the report discusses the findings of the Employer Survey, designed to gain key insights into business conditions, hiring strategies and plans. It offers a glimpse of the challenges employers are facing in this economy, the strategies they are using to adapt and their future plans. The survey was also supplemented with case studies with employers in the region.
The second part of this report is the Dislocated Worker Survey. It presents a profile of these workers, how they are dealing with job losses and the services that can be provided to better assist them.
The Employer Survey findings show that:
- Business performance in terms of revenue and sales is flat, as companies diversify focus and re-invent strategies
- Hiring has slowed at the moment
- Employment plans for the future look optimistic, especially in some sectors such as Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail and Transportation and Warehousing.
The Dislocated Worker Survey reports:
- Most dislocated workers have had steady employment, are disproportionately older than the labor force and have minimal education
- Earning wages to support a family is the primary concern of the dislocated worker
- Dislocated workers are interested in accelerated training programs to help them transition back into the workforce.
