creating a comprehensive “state of the region” report presented by greg weeks, ph.d. washington...
TRANSCRIPT
Creating a Comprehensive “State of the Region” Report
Presented by
Greg Weeks, Ph.D.
Washington State Employment Security Department
DirectorLabor Market and Economic Analysis
April 11, 2008Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel
Phoenix, AZ
Regional Report
• Probably defined by non-traditional geography– Multiple states– Multiple areas– Sub areas
• Specialized areas of interest– Specific industry groupings– Unique workforce issues
Purpose of the Report
• General overview of the economy– Industry mix, population, unemployment
• General overview of areas of interest– Identify targeted areas
• Establishing a benchmark
• Measure changes in indicators
Contents of Report
• Information about the economy
• Information about the workforce
• What makes this region special– Quality of life– Location
• Key sector measures
Data Attributes
• Ability to compare– Sub region– Region– State– Nation
• Multiple time periods– Where are we today– Where did we come from
Data Needs
• What’s important?• What data might support it?• Is data available?• Does it show what I expected it to?
Where do I get the Data?
• State LMI websites or staff
• Bureau of Economic Analysis
• Census, ACS
Regional Report Sections
• Economy
• Workforce
• Targeted area
• Quality of Life
Information about the Economy
• Unemployment Rate
• Income level– Median– Per capita
• Employment growth
• Poverty levels
• Retail sales
Information about the Workforce
• Age, race, ethnicity of workforce
• Education attainment– High school– College– PhD
• Population characteristics– Age– forecasts
Information about the Targeted Sector
• Industry employment by age
• Average wages for occupations in industry
• Growth of firms
• Employment forecasts
Information about Quality of Life
• Hard to find consistent data
• Non-traditional sources
• It may not show what you’re expecting– Commute time– Amount of rainfall– Parks acreage
Data Attributes for EACH data source
• Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation
• Multiple time periods
Information About the Economy
Information Source
Unemployment rate State LMI, BLS
Median Income BEA
Per Capita Income BEA
Employment Growth State LMI
Poverty Levels Census
Retail Sales State Revenue
Information about the Workforce
Information Source
Age, race, eth of workforce State LMI, BLS
Education attained
High School
College
PhD
Census, ACS
Population Characteristics
Age
Forecasts
Census, State Population
Information about Targeted Industries
Information Source
Industry Employment by age
State LMI, LEHD
Wages for occupations in industries
State LMI
Growth of firms State LMI, BLS
Employment forecasts State LMI
Data Attributes for EACH data source
• Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation
• Multiple time periods
• Non-traditional Geographies
• Specialize Industry groups/areas of focus
Managing the Data
Risk Areas
• Managing the scope– Amount of data– Format for report
• Data visualization is key– What are you trying to show, what’s the best
way to accomplish that
• Data updated before you’re done
• Duplication of effort
Examples and Sources
Sources
In Summary
• Geographies may be a challenge
• Determine what’s important
• Identify and collect data
• Make sure it says what you think it does
• Clear visualization of information
• Leverage existing resources
• Stay organized
In Summary
• Look at other examples– Paper reports– Summary reports– Online tools
• Formatting, sources, and organization
• Not all areas are created equal
Questions and Discussion
