Lower Shore Focus GroupChesapeake Workforce Scan

AgendaIntroduction Overview of Findings

Survey Results Interview Results Key Findings

Discussion and Analysis

Chesapeake Scan - Project Goals:

Develop Stronger Board Relationships and Connections to Businesses.

Survey and Interview Businesses to Identify Critical Occupational and Skills Needs.

Conduct a Skill Analysis of Selected Occupations. Develop Community Career Ladders Within the Skill

Clusters Identified for Each Workforce Area. Build Momentum for Skills Alliances to Ensure That

Businesses Are Able to Grow and Prosper and That Employees Are Able to Maximize Their Full Career Potential.

Chesapeake Scan - Project Design:

Three Tiered Model Survey Research - OLMAI-DLLR Interviews - JFC Focus Groups - JFC

Goal for the Focus Groups Is To:Validate ResultsIdentify and Address Any Gaps

Final Report

Chesapeake Scan - Project Design:

Four Workforce Investment Areas Are Part of the Community Audit

Susquehanna Upper Shore Lower Shore Southern Maryland

Five Target Industries

Technology (DLLR Definition)

Tourism Health Care Construction Agriculture

(Environmental Is Included in Technology)

Survey Results

All Businesses With 10 or More Employees in the Five Industries Were Surveyed

218 Businesses (Out of a Total Population of 725) Completed the Survey. 30% Response Rate

Survey Results

42% Reported Experiencing Labor Market Problems That Impact Ability to Meet Goals

77% Reported Problems in Finding Workers With Specific Occupational Skills

42% Reported Finding Workers As Most Important Problem

Wage Costs 2nd and Benefits Costs 3rd

49% Reported Having Problems With Job Vacancies

38% Willing to Work With LWIB On Skills Alliances

Interview Results

High

Agriculture Construction Technology Health Care Tourism

Firms Interviewed 1 1 8 7 8

Firms Aware of LSWA 1 0 6 5 4

Firms that use LSWA 0 0 1 0 0

Firms Facing Workforce Problems 1 1 7 6 6

Issue lack of skilled workers worker shortage turnover worker shortage worker shortage

Issue worker shortage lack of skilled workers turnover lack of life skills

Issue worker shortage retention turnover

Firms Experiencing Hiring Difficulty 1 1 7 7 5

Occupation drivers fabricator engineers nurses housekeeping

Occupation mechanics drafter technicians radiology technician bartender

Occupation mechanics janitor server

Occupation human resources food service dishwasher

Occupation sales cashier

Firms Willing to Partner in Industry 0 1 6 6 8

Firms Willing to Partner with LSWA 1 1 8 7 7

Lower Shore Workforce Network - Summary of Interviews

Key Findings- Key Workforce Issues:

Finding Workers and Employee Turnover Are the Key Workforce Issues This Is True Across Skills Levels

All Industries Reported Vacancies in High and Low Skilled Positions

Lower Skilled Positions Are Filled in Shorter Time, Higher Skilled Positions Can Be Vacant 3+ Months

Key Hard to Find OccupationsAll Medical Workers - National Shortage AreaHospitality WorkersHigh Tech - Engineers, Computer, Etc.

Key Findings- Key Workforce Issues:

Workforce Shortages Are Impacting Businesses Increased Operating Costs

OvertimeTurnover Increased Training Costs

Reduce Potential for Expansion Health – Reduce Services Available

Key Findings- Key Workforce Issues:

Soft Skills (Life Skills and Work Ethic) Are a Key Issue

Moderate Level of Difficulty Reported in Finding Workers With Basic Skills Communications Skills Difficult

Key Findings- Key Workforce Issues:

Most Important Future Workforce Need Were Improved Computer and Business Skills

Other Issues Raised (Health and Tourism) Transportation and Child Care (Health and

Tourism) Sector-specific Workforce Strategies

(Agriculture and Tourism)

Key Findings- Key Workforce Issues:

Tools to Address Employer Concerns LWIB Needs to Improve Recognition and Use of

Services Businesses Willing to Work With the LWIB

Policy Options Links to Education Providers Internships/high School Programs Training to Encourage Persons to Stay on Eastern Shore Job Fairs Common Basic Training Opportunities