Posted: 05/20/2010
Author:
Public Relations
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LEDCO Releases New Labor Availability Study
May 19, 2010, Longview, TX... The Longview Economic Development Corporation (LEDCO) board of directors today announced the publication of its 2010 Labor Availability Report for the labor market area of Longview. LEDCO selected The Pathfinders, a multi-disciplined organization located in Dallas to perform the regional survey because of their extensive experience and professionalism. The organization, whose focus lies in two primary consulting areas - economic development strategic planning and corporate site selection enjoys wide respect among members of America's industrial and business community for its objective work.
LEDCO’s previous labor availability study was completed in 2008. The board of directors voted this year to conduct a new survey because the local workforce, like most of Texas and the rest of the nation, has undergone significant changes over the past two years. The latest study provides labor market assessments for LEDCO to determine the:
- availability of a workforce for companies which might consider the area as a location
- extent to which unemployment exists in the area
- extent to which "underemployment" exists in the area
- skills, experience and education of the underemployed workers
- desired pay of the underemployed workers
- commuting patterns of the underemployed workers
- local employers' opinions of workforce quality with respect to such factors as turnover, productivity, reliability and availability
- comparative analysis vis-à-vis other locations
"We know that our workforce has changed quite a bit over the past two years," stated Susan Mazarakes, interim executive director of the Longview Economic Development Corporation. "The number of unemployed and underemployed workers has increased as a result of the economic downturn, but there is a ‘silver lining’. When a business looks at the area workforce, we can assure them that we have skilled, qualified people ready and willing to go to work right away.”
Mazarakes added, “The report will be used repeatedly to assist existing business in Longview with their growth and workforce development. It is also a valuable sales tool for business recruitment for LEDCO because most companies seeking to expand or relocate require an impartial third-party report in their initial requests for information from the economic development office."
