Latinos and Job Growth in the South Atlantic

EARN Conference September 14, 2012

Catherine Singley, Senior Policy Analyst, NCLRAlicia Criado, Policy Associate, NCLR

Introduction

Overview of the South Atlantic

Methodology

Early Findings & Themes

Moving Forward: Feedback

Today’s Presentation

Number of Hispanics in Labor Force

South Atlantic Region 3,296,773

Delaware 26,481

District of Columbia 28,642

Florida 1,989,634

Georgia 363,917

Maryland 211,912

North Carolina 310,485

South Carolina 85,162

Virginia 280,540

Are Latinos benefiting from job growth?

Where are Latinos working?

Areas of promise (bright spots) for Latino workers?

Main Research Questions

• Conduct broad labor market analysis (ACS 3-year estimates, Quarterly Census of Wages and Employment)

• Use data and mapping tools (ArcGIS) to illustrate main areas of interest

• Synthesize data to emphasize key research questions

Exploratory Data

Analysis

• Identify relevant stakeholders• Develop open-ended interview questions• Contact stakeholders• Conduct interviews (phone)• Synthesize findings

Stakeholder Interviews

Methodology

Early Findings &ThemesSouth Carolina• Leader in the professional and business services sector• Greenville, Richland and Charleston counties show

promise for Latino workers

Delaware• Leader in the leisure and hospitality industry• Kent County experienced the largest growth, yet has the

smallest Latino workforce population• Sussex is described as the county employing large

numbers of Latinos

Early Findings &Themes• Economic development plans favor high-skilled labor

• Recruitment of out-of-state workers instead of investing in local workforce training

• The Latino workforce is mobile and reacts to negative social and economic climate

• Workers will cross state lines to follow the work

• Latinos’ work ethic and loyalty is valued by employers

• Immigration status affects job access

Documented Undocumented

Limited English-Proficiency

Lack of Certification

Lack of Skills and Experience

Harsh Anti-Immigrant Laws

Limited English-Proficiency

Lack of Certification

Immigration status affects job access

Area of Promise: Bilingual Opportunities

Retail Supervisory Positions

Health ProfessionalsFast Food

Area of Promise: Small Business Owners

Restaurants

ConstructionCleaning

Feedback, please!

Catherine Singleycsingley@nclr.org

Alicia Criadoacriado@nclr.org