Workforce Now , Critical Employment Skills Analysis

By: Dr. John Meyer Dean of the School of Business and Technology

Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, Florida

Presented to: National Council for Workforce Education2014 National Conference

Pittsburgh, PA10/30/2014

Today’s Conversation

• Brief background information • Overview of study methodologies• Overview of findings• Demonstrate utility of the project• Share strategies for successfully engaging local

employers who may be reluctant to share information• Propose strategies for successfully replicating the

project to aid in economic development in other regions

• Q&A

Background:Workforce Now Research

Project

Companies

EducatorsIndustries

Methodology, Research Study 1• Look at three major employers in the region:

• Medical device manufacturer and global distributor

• Fashion design and retail

• Operator of hospitals and acute care facilities

Companies

Methodology, Research Study 2• Three major regional employment sectors (not

represented by key/large employers):– Finance, Insurance, and Banking– Construction and Manufacturing– Tourism and Hospitality

Industries

Methodology, Research Study 3• Survey of Educational Leaders from:– Public and Private Universities– Public State College– Private not-for-profit Colleges– K-12 systems– Area Technical Centers

Educators

Findings, Research Study 1(3 employers)

• Each company had a variety of difficult-to-fill positions, with many current openings

• Each company determined that it needed to actively recruit outside of the region

• Each company wanted a more active collaboration with local educational institutions

• Information Technology positions represented a top employment gap at each company

• Each company identified a “Foundational Skills” gap

Findings, Research Study 2(3 sectors)

• Common themes– Focus on technology skills– Written and oral communication skills– Basic business math skills– Critical thinking, teamwork problem solving

• Sector specific

Findings, Research Study 3(Education)

• Educators cited:– A lack of predictive data to help determine when

to start new programs/shutter existing ones– Desire to get more current data to better

understand the regional labor market needs– Funding and state mandates are issues– The Top 5 changes that could make them more

responsive to industry

Utility

• Positive attention drawn to the issues• New programs• Consultative benefits• Collaborative benefits• Economic development

Companies

EducatorsIndustries

Strategies to Engage Local Employers

• Employers primed to be receptive• Educators primed to respond• Integrity of the individual researchers• EDCs and Chambers saw the economic need• New leadership at area educational institutions

freed of baggage of the past• Support of the local newspaper and a local

consortium of investors• Buy in from the region

Strategies for Project Replication• Identify most responsive employers• Actively listen, take the tour, observe, talk to

people• Examine your own premises• Engage the Chambers and the EDCs• Publicly promote your findings or activities• Publicly promote resultant actions - everywhere• Leverage this work into other alliances

In Summary

• Workforce Now is – A regional initiative– Performing original research on critical skills gaps

and other issues impacting the local workforce– Continuing to research areas of interest to the

region– A positive tool for engaging with employers– Solidifying FSW’s role in regional economic

development

Questions

• Questions? Comments? Concerns?

• Reports available at www.fsw.edu/sobt• You can reach me at john.meyer@fsw.edu