Purpose

Short Term: Assist Businesses in Finding Qualified Workers

Long Term: Transition the Workforce to a Higher Skills Economy

Position the Memphis Region to Compete with Other Major Regions in the Global Economy

STUDY AREA

52 Counties8 Sub-Regions

Who Will Benefit

Existing Business and Industry Economic Development Organizations Local Governments Workforce Investment Boards K-12 Educators Colleges and Universities Training Providers

Objectives

Document the Current Strengths and Weaknesses of the Workforce

Quantify Hidden Labor Resources

Identify Unmet Training Needs

Use Regional Perspective to Match More People with Jobs

Objectives

Develop Business and Economic Targets for each Sub-region

Identify Roles and Areas of Specialized Research for Higher Education

Inform K-12 Educators of Workforce Needs and Trends

Process

Interviewed 3,600 Workers

Collected 364 Employer Surveys

Interviewed 65 Key Workforce Influencers

Conducted 5 Focus Groups of Community Representatives

Key Assets

Huge Hidden Potential Workforce Underemployed 188,795 Not Employed, Wanting Work 328,795 Recent College Graduates 14,500 Total Hidden Labor Supply 532,090

Key Assets

Large Percentage of Employed and Not Employed are Interested in Training 58.9% Want to Upgrade Skills – 799,510 Leading Fields of Interest among Workforce:

Computer Related Medical Related Any Type of Training that will Lead to a Better

Job

Key Assets

Regional Population Younger than National Average, which is Preferred by Some Companies

Employers Report Ability to Recruit Talent from Outside Region Situation has Improved from Earlier Studies Situation Better in Memphis than in Rural Areas Improved Perception of Quality of Life is a Factor

Key Assets

Employers Report: Satisfactory Work Ethic and Productivity Good Availability of Unskilled and

Semi-Skilled Workers Region Perceived as a Low Wage Location Belief that Region Can Support Higher Skilled

Emerging Industries

Key Assets

Excellent Foundation for Economic Expansion Higher Number of Post-secondary Institutions than

Comparable Southeastern Regions Good Corporate Presence and Base Fed Ex Hub and Other Excellent Transportation

Assets Existing Industry Clusters

Key Assets

Logistics Gaming FurnitureAluminum Products Machinery Medical

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Existing Industry Clusters

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Key Assets

Auto Parts

Ag Support

Textiles &

ApparelFood &

BeverageElec.

Equip.Polymer Products

Metal Fabrication

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Existing Industry Clusters

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Key Challenges

Size of Workforce has Declined

Population Base Growing More Slowly than US

Key Component of Workforce (Ages 20-34) Regional Projected 5-yr Growth -0.7% National Projected 5-yr Growth 5.1%

Key Challenges

Household Incomes are Low

Educational Attainment is Low

Public School Performance is Mixed

Performance in Math and Science is Low

Number of Degrees Awarded in Math, Sciences and Engineering is Low

Key Challenges

Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region

Population Size

Population Growth Median Age HS Degree (%) 12-15 Years Education (%)

4-Year College Education (%) Elasticity

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ilab

ility

Key Challenges

Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region

General Business Support N/A Technical/Professional N/A N/A Production N/A N/A Computer/IT N/A N/A N/A N/A Management N/A

Ability to attract outside talent

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Key Challenges

Factor 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Region

Basic Skills Basic Computer Skills Work Ethic/Productivity Labor Costs L

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& C

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Key Challenges

Some Gaps Exist Between Education, Workforce Development and Business

African-Americans are Under-represented in High-Tech Occupations

Key Challenges

Need Stronger and Sustained Commitment for Change among: Leadership Educators – Local and State Level Workforce Investment Boards Private Sector

Need Support for a Common Vision

Situation Summary

Region is Diverse Many Assets will Support Economic

Expansion Good Industry Base – 12 Clusters At Least Nine Targets for Growth Formidable Workforce Challenge Current Workforce Development System

Disjointed and in Some Areas Ineffective

Recommendations

Alternative Fuels

Auto Parts & Assy.

Bio-Logistics

Bio-Sciences

Logistics

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Target Industries

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Recommendations

Office Operations

Film/MusicVisitor/ Gaming

Ag Support

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Target Industries

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Recommendations

Create a Regional Workforce Partnership Coordinate Sub-Regional Activities Assist in Developing Industry Consortia Transfer of Best Practices Coordinate Lobbying Efforts Promote Broad Ownership of Workforce Development Pursue Grants and Other Funding for the Region Identify Programs that can be Merged or Better

Coordinated Establish Vision, Goals, Measurements

Recommendations

Much Stronger Role for the Private Businesses Build Industry Consortia such as BioWorks and the

Northwest TN Healthcare Consortium to Allow Industries with Similar Needs to Work Together to Influence the Quality of the Workforce

Better Communicate Emerging Career Opportunities to Lower Income Youth, Begin Communication in the Early Grades

Development and Adoption of Sound Hiring Policies for People with Arrest Records

Recommendations

Much Stronger Role for the Private Businesses Define Skill Needs and Communicate to Educators

and Workforce Developers Develop Tests to Measure Workforce Preparedness Guaranteed Jobs for Students who Pass Test More Recruiting at Local Schools and Universities

Recommendations

Much Stronger Role for Private Businesses More Work-study Programs, Mentoring,

Career Planning Make Junior Achievement Style Programs Broadly

Available, Build on Popularity of The Apprentice

Create Vice President of Workforce Development Position

Assist in Public Transportation Planning to Provide More and Better Access to Jobs

Recommendations

State Level Education Policies: Direct College Scholarships to Programs that

Support the Economy – Math, Sciences, Engineering and on Teachers for those Areas

Set Goal for the Region to Become National Leader in Math and Science Graduates

Expand and Promote Technical Training

Recommendations

State Level Education Policies: Evaluate Two Path System (TN) Provide Quick Response to Employer Need for

New Programs and Courses More Use of Career Laddering Programs such

as the Health Care Program in Arkansas

Recommendations

Local Education Policies Expand and Promote Vo-tech Training Develop Programs to Reduce the Drop-out Rate Coordinate and Unify Middle School Programs Place Emphasis on Math, Sciences, Language and

Critical Thinking Use Tests Developed by Businesses to Measure

Workforce Preparedness

Recommendations

Hold National African-American New Economy Workforce Development Conference Goal: Coalesce Ideas, Identify Solutions, Develop

Vision as a National Leader, Create Action Plan Involve Top National Thinkers and Leaders

Expand the Talent Magnet Program to Make it Useful to the Suburbs and Greater Region

Implementation Network

Company-Based Intern Career Pathing

Company-Based Adult Career Development

National Impact

Selected for Economic Development Administration Funding

First to Use Online Workforce Data Delivery System

More Potential Funding and Recognition for Sub-regional Initiatives to Follow