A workshop
presented by the
Missouri Economic Research and Information Center
Missouri Department of Economic Development
to the
Governor's Conference on
Workforce Development
October 2002
Labor-Based
Industry Clusters in Missouri
by
David Peters
dpeters@ded.state.mo.us
Using statistical cluster analysis, ten labor-based industry clusters were identified to be used for targeted economic development in Missouri. The target clusters include arts and media, banking, business support services, education, finance and insurance, health care, high technology, information technology, transportation, and wholesale and purchasing. Collectively, the ten targeted industry clusters had a substantial impact on Missouri's economy in 2000. The targeted clusters generated 1.17 million jobs, which accounted for 43.93% of statewide employment. In turn these jobs generated $43.42 billion in wages, which accounted for 51.78% of statewide wages. The clusters paid an above average wage per job of $37,008, which was 117.86% of the state average wage per job. Over the past decade, wage growth has outpaced employment growth, resulting in higher wages per job. Since 1990, employment has grown by 17.92%, wages by 28.81% and average wages per job by 9.24%.
Workforce
Training in the New Economy
by
Kerri Tesreau
ktesreau@ded.state.mo.us
Veronica Gielazauskas
vgielazauskas@ded.state.mo.us
There is little question that trends in the New Economy have changed the way business is done, and knowledge and skills now determine one’s competitive edge. Research shows that more and more jobs are requiring higher levels of skill than in the past. Research also shows that the labor force, as a whole, has not adapted to the changes, resulting in low-skilled, low-waged workers. As it stands, businesses lack qualified workers, employees lack the ability to get quality jobs, and governments are faced with the challenges of both.
Based on this study’s findings, Missouri should consider the following action plans:
- Establish a dual customer focus,
addressing employer needs and allowing them to be active in the workforce development process;MERIC’s Target Missouri II analysis is a tool Missouri can use to set up these partnerships;
- Develop skills partnerships.
to eliminate duplicative services and create a more customer-oriented environment;
- Cross train staff and build seamless integration of services
Creating informative, easily navigable, crosslinked websites is an easy way to promote programs;
- Market and promote Missouri’s workforce system to change misperceptions about the services offered.
While Missouri has thirty-two career centers, there are areas of the state outside of easy access to any of them. Several areas are more than 35 miles from a full-service center, particularly in southeast Missouri, where unemployment tends to be high.
- Improve accessibility to Career Centers.
Missouri must redefine workforce development to remain competitive. The economy is changing and Missouri must adapt. A highly educated, trained workforce would allow Missouri to more easily respond to changes. The suggestions and best practices in this report outline ways Missouri could improve its workforce system, thereby improving the quality of its workforce and economic vitality of the state as a whole.
