james satterwhite executive director workforce solutions – rural capital area
TRANSCRIPT
Workforce historically categorized as “Challenged”
Challenges are increasing and more complex
*Gaps widening between employer skill needs and potential workers skills
*Global Competition*Employers struggling to remain profitable & competitive*Consumer confidence very low*Aging workforce leadership in most industries*New workers unprepared for work or continued education*Technology outpacing workers skill increases and cost of training for new technology is expensive for education*Changing demographics
Historic levels of unemployed Historic level number of job seekers in
system Low numbers of new jobs or refilled ones College graduates experiencing difficulty
finding jobs and increased competition Green jobs entering the picture Increased funding for unemployment
payments Increased funding for training and
support thru AARA
United States @ 9.7%Texas @ 8%. Lost 266,300 jobs in last 12 months
Hays County @ 6.9%Caldwell County @ 8.4%
Average monthly clients 10/07 thru 9/08 was 8,159 in our nine counties
Average for the next nine months was 11,273 in our nine counties or 38% increase
Hays county increased by54% and Caldwell about the same with Hays county at 2000 and Caldwell at 553
Number of individuals receiving UI from 7/08 thru 6/09 is 17,525 in our nine counties:
Number of individuals receiving UI in Caldwell county for same period were 918 with 472 still active in WIT on July 29th
Number of individuals receiving UI benefits in Hays county for same period were 3,182 with 2000 still active in WIT
With 472 still active in WIT on July 29th in Caldwell county…there were 27 job openings they were competing for
With 2000 still active in WIT on July 29th in Hays county….there were 106 job openings they were competing for
Number of jobs listed on WIT on July
29th was 809 in our nine counties
Enacted Feb 17, 2009 Funds for nine county area: $6,000,000 Intent of ARRA is to put Texans back to
work Majority of funds expended in the first year Target services toward:
Those on public assistance, and other low income individuals
Displaced and unskilled adults Disconnected youth Child Care related projects
Assist them in obtaining jobs that pay self-sufficiency wages. $14 an hour
Focus on career paths that benefit the individual, local employers and the local economy
Additional help with child care payments and quality activities with local child care providers
Allocation for nine counties is: $1,487,921 60 percent of ARRA youth program funds
must be expended on summer employment activities
70 percent spent by September 2009
Anticipate serving at least 400 youth in work experience projects with local employers
Currently have served 48 youth in Caldwell County and 93 in Hays county.
Training includes the following: Occupational/vocational training OJT Internships Entrepreneurial training Private sector training programs Customized training Apprenticeship Direct contracts with institutions of higher
education for training and curriculum development
Training costs can include the costs associated with Adult Basic Education/Literacy English as a Second Language
But only if they are provided in conjunction with training activity
Boards can enter into direct contracts with institutions of Higher Education and Other Training Providers.
Currently have agreements with Austin Community College.
ARRA Adult Program Allocation of
$544,790
80 percent spent by June 2010
67% spent on training and support services
Plan to place 173 in training
ARRA Dislocated Worker Program Alloc. of
$1,021,493 80 percent spent by
June 2010 67% spent on
training and support services
Plan to place 238 in training
Allocation is $2,819,657 Direct Child Care assistance to eligible
parents $2,323,324 Quality activities $496,333
Opportunities for skilled workers in: Solar Wind Power/design Use of environmentally friendly building
materials Renewable energy infrastructure Energy-efficiency home retrofitting Bio-fuel development ARRA Grants Available
Never underestimate the importance of higher education and training opportunities to a regions long term prosperity
Determine collective skill sets of the regions workforce that are transferable to multi-industries
Focus on recruitment of industries that provide a sustainable wage ($14) and to those that need the skills available in the region
Work with educational institutions to provide training in targeted areas
Promote the strengths of the region including I30. Continue to address weaknesses such
educational attainment, housing and poverty rate
Develop a collective vision of what you want your community to look like and to provide
Always include all stakeholders in economic development and educational planning
Never think that growth will stop and that problems will go away on their own
Keep focusing locally and regionally as you are today
Never underestimate the power of partnerships