Total_Employment Q4 2006 121498
Net_Job_Flows 2067
Job_Creation 4608 Total new positions created
Plus
New_Hires 17030 Total new hires
Minus
Separations 23516 Separations (fired, laid off) = Net Loss of 1,878 jobs in 4th qtr
Turnover 0.094
Avg_Monthly_Earnings $2666
Avg_New_Hire_Earnings $1514
(QWI - US Census Bureau)
As you can see by the above, one year ago we experienced in the height of the retail season a net loss of almost 2,000 jobs. We continue to be 35% BELOW the state of Illinois average monthly wage as a region. We are also high on the employee turnover with almost 10% turnover. If we were to analyze this we would find many people with multiple low paying jobs, maybe a farm job too, and with all of that there is still a struggle to earn a sustainable wage. I will have more to say on this later.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
NWA 2
NWA 2
The second and third day of the NWA conference was full of great information on congress and the state of the workforce appropriations and re-authorization bill. Most of it was not good news. It appears that with the President sticking to his position with no negotiation, that we are deadlocked and unable to move domestic bills for now.
Chairman David Obey (D-WI) stated that the current lack of any negotiations by the white house has stifled the efforts he has made to compromise on reaching an agreement. President Bush wants $200 billion for the war in Iraq, but is unwilling to allow an additional $22 billion for domestic programs. The Labor-HHS appropriations bill was vetoed by the President and the congress was one vote short of over-ride. This, of course, included the rescission of $245 million from the workforce system with the elusive and unsubstantiated unspent dollars DOL claims is on the table. I have asked if any state has returned any unspent money to DOL in the past five years out of their three-year grants, and I am told no. So, the system expends all dollars during the three years it has to expend the grant in serving job seekers and employers.
Obey also stated that the President wanted another $60 billion to give those earning over $1 million a year a tax break.
Peter D. Hart, a national respected pollster, then took the group through his take on the upcoming election. He talked about the continued polarization of each party to the point we are at now where no statesmanship leader and negotiator for compromise leader can work within the system. Both parties have increasingly drawn one line in the sand after another, and now they are boxed into a corner unwilling to meet anyone half way to accomplish good public policy for the people they claim to serve. He showed us the progression of this over the past 70 years and how we are at a point where the people (80%) dislike congress and 70% dislike the Presidents job, and frustration is evident in his polling all over the US.
Patrick Di Battista from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed the TAA assessment recently completed by the GAO, and the VETs program and how it does not interface with the Veterans Administration as envisioned by congress, and how it has not become a contributing partner to the One Stop workforce system.
With WIA, he reviewed some of the data collected from some of the states and the disparity and lack of uniform data collected by DOL making their proclamations meaningless because they do not have a validated data collection system that monitors the workforce system in a way that would present a clear picture of what is going on in the system. I think he rightly states that the system needs to invest in research to determine the local effectiveness of our federal investments. Our CWIB moving forward on ArcGIS Business Analyst as well as the work with EIU on the CSSI project is gathering more meaningful data for us to consider.
Senator Patty Murray, (D-Washington) gave a passionate presentation for the value of a locally controlled workforce system. She has been our champion in the Senate and relies on my good friend Kris Stadelman and other workforce professionals for information and suggestions. She received a well deserved standing ovation at the conference.
We heard from Ric Keller (R-FL) who along with John Tierney (D-MA) wrote a “Dear Colleague” letter in support of the local workforce system and actually was someone who worked as a job placement professional in our system. He is a success story for our system and was also a big supporter for the increase in the Pell Grant funds for the students in this country. He was inspiring and showed that even with more known and well-funded candidates running against him, he could win with hard work and a solid platform of goals for the citizens he represents. He even goes along into the rural areas with the mobile workforce lab and uses the time to meet with people in the town where the lab is located. He supports our locally controlled system.
We heard from Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) who sits on the Committee on Education and Labor. As a newspaper editor, he brings a unique view to the congress and expressed his support for our system.
As you can see, the day and a half was filled with speakers and topics relevant to the workforce system and what we might see in congress.
To summarize, President Bush is taking a no-compromise position on all legislation, his way or no way. The congress will send to him today and omnibus bill. It may be vetoed again by the President. Then there may be a continuing resolution (CR) from December to February. The Democrats do not want the government to shut down. Then it might be a CR until next budget year. And I would say with the election in November, nothing may happen until there is a clear picture on who will be the new President and if the Democrats can pick up a few more seats. I think it is time for the American people to elect states people willing to work with people of many views and not elect ideologists who profess one view with no room for compromise. Our government only works well when people like Everett Dirksen (R-IL) and Paul Simon (D-IL), both now gone (dead), who were recognized for their fairness and willingness to work toward an inclusive path.
Leaders running for President need to take notice that the American people expect better and focusing on only pleasing the “core” or “base” is not inclusive enough and open enough to the views of many. All problems present many choices and possibilities. One answer to everything does not work and never has.
The second and third day of the NWA conference was full of great information on congress and the state of the workforce appropriations and re-authorization bill. Most of it was not good news. It appears that with the President sticking to his position with no negotiation, that we are deadlocked and unable to move domestic bills for now.
Chairman David Obey (D-WI) stated that the current lack of any negotiations by the white house has stifled the efforts he has made to compromise on reaching an agreement. President Bush wants $200 billion for the war in Iraq, but is unwilling to allow an additional $22 billion for domestic programs. The Labor-HHS appropriations bill was vetoed by the President and the congress was one vote short of over-ride. This, of course, included the rescission of $245 million from the workforce system with the elusive and unsubstantiated unspent dollars DOL claims is on the table. I have asked if any state has returned any unspent money to DOL in the past five years out of their three-year grants, and I am told no. So, the system expends all dollars during the three years it has to expend the grant in serving job seekers and employers.
Obey also stated that the President wanted another $60 billion to give those earning over $1 million a year a tax break.
Peter D. Hart, a national respected pollster, then took the group through his take on the upcoming election. He talked about the continued polarization of each party to the point we are at now where no statesmanship leader and negotiator for compromise leader can work within the system. Both parties have increasingly drawn one line in the sand after another, and now they are boxed into a corner unwilling to meet anyone half way to accomplish good public policy for the people they claim to serve. He showed us the progression of this over the past 70 years and how we are at a point where the people (80%) dislike congress and 70% dislike the Presidents job, and frustration is evident in his polling all over the US.
Patrick Di Battista from the Government Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed the TAA assessment recently completed by the GAO, and the VETs program and how it does not interface with the Veterans Administration as envisioned by congress, and how it has not become a contributing partner to the One Stop workforce system.
With WIA, he reviewed some of the data collected from some of the states and the disparity and lack of uniform data collected by DOL making their proclamations meaningless because they do not have a validated data collection system that monitors the workforce system in a way that would present a clear picture of what is going on in the system. I think he rightly states that the system needs to invest in research to determine the local effectiveness of our federal investments. Our CWIB moving forward on ArcGIS Business Analyst as well as the work with EIU on the CSSI project is gathering more meaningful data for us to consider.
Senator Patty Murray, (D-Washington) gave a passionate presentation for the value of a locally controlled workforce system. She has been our champion in the Senate and relies on my good friend Kris Stadelman and other workforce professionals for information and suggestions. She received a well deserved standing ovation at the conference.
We heard from Ric Keller (R-FL) who along with John Tierney (D-MA) wrote a “Dear Colleague” letter in support of the local workforce system and actually was someone who worked as a job placement professional in our system. He is a success story for our system and was also a big supporter for the increase in the Pell Grant funds for the students in this country. He was inspiring and showed that even with more known and well-funded candidates running against him, he could win with hard work and a solid platform of goals for the citizens he represents. He even goes along into the rural areas with the mobile workforce lab and uses the time to meet with people in the town where the lab is located. He supports our locally controlled system.
We heard from Congressman John Yarmuth (D-KY) who sits on the Committee on Education and Labor. As a newspaper editor, he brings a unique view to the congress and expressed his support for our system.
As you can see, the day and a half was filled with speakers and topics relevant to the workforce system and what we might see in congress.
To summarize, President Bush is taking a no-compromise position on all legislation, his way or no way. The congress will send to him today and omnibus bill. It may be vetoed again by the President. Then there may be a continuing resolution (CR) from December to February. The Democrats do not want the government to shut down. Then it might be a CR until next budget year. And I would say with the election in November, nothing may happen until there is a clear picture on who will be the new President and if the Democrats can pick up a few more seats. I think it is time for the American people to elect states people willing to work with people of many views and not elect ideologists who profess one view with no room for compromise. Our government only works well when people like Everett Dirksen (R-IL) and Paul Simon (D-IL), both now gone (dead), who were recognized for their fairness and willingness to work toward an inclusive path.
Leaders running for President need to take notice that the American people expect better and focusing on only pleasing the “core” or “base” is not inclusive enough and open enough to the views of many. All problems present many choices and possibilities. One answer to everything does not work and never has.
Sunday, December 2, 2007
NWA 2
Here in the Renaissance Vinoy the NWA workforce meeting got started at 2pm with the presentation of colors and a beautifully sung national anthem. The first up is John Twomey.
This is the sixth NWA Conference. He spoke on the Florida model of workforce development and the good information that we will have on the legislative side. USA Works will also be speaking as a sister organization on some of the legislative advocacy we need to do with the system.
John acknowledged this blog.
David Bradley started with the fact that there is bad weather in New York. Mr. Brownstein was delayed with the flight out of New York. So, the schedule will be rearranged to the Monday morning at 8:15am. So the two speakers that are stuck in weather will be back to back on Monday morning. Monday morning was approved by the crowd. Sig Nelson will speak after the popcorn break. Sig will be here via video conference. David Obey will be on tomorrow via video conference on what is likely to happen between the white house and the congress.
Mr. Miller was invited to come; it appears that this will not happen due to a trip to China.
It appears he is the key person to help this system move forward. No Child Left Behind has yet to be introduced. Higher Ed is moving forward. WIA is still not on the table. There seems to be a need to pause and wait until after the new president is elected.
Mr. Miller sent a video to the conference. I think we need to have Mr. Miller take the lead in the reauthorization and I hope the system works hard to make sure Mr. Miller understands that this system serves this serious need. He stated we need to have a system that trains the workforce to be globally competitive.
So what is the lay of the land? David outlined the current status. I will comment on this in another blog.
Sigurd Nilsen began his presentation 3:50pm. Sig is now the Director, Policy Research, the Council on Foundations. He retired from the GAO, and works for Steven Gunderson (former Wisconsin US Representative). He was able to fly in to present in person.
National Fund for Workforce Solutions – rolled out on September 6 at the National Press Club. Anne E. Casey Foundation along with others have joined this fund. Objective: To improve the quality of the workforce system, invest in workers, and sustainable employment.
He said “work is changing” and looking at flexible and adaptive work. Create value – Real time and over time, decentralized, networked.
There is a laser focus on low wage workers and employers and how we can move those workers into sustainable wage jobs. The AEC foundation focused on workforce intermediaries. This was tested in five sites across the nation. Boston was more invested in workforce issues as foundations than what was sent by DOL to the regional WIB.
There was frustration with the workforce system from the foundations point of view. Soft skills get you retention of about three months. Vocational skills will get you a worker for more than a year.
The local investment will be matched 4:1. Goal is to help 50,000 people and more than 1,000 businesses. Foundations will invest at the beginning of the funding and develop sustainability. Clarify what we know and what we need to know. Demonstrate success in getting the workforce system to be successful. Stephanie Powers is the connector to the other foundations to get more collaborative. Evaluation component and research and DOL will invest in the research.
Implications for the public workforce system
A major concern with this foundation initiative and the WIRED grant and HGJI being developed outside the system to invest money in innovative initiatives.
Currently, not perceived as successful, as an innovator, and not connected outside its domain. We need to network with the local community system. How do we represent ourselves and tell our story.
We still do not tell our story well. We need data collection system that tells the story well.
We need to look at the entrepreneur model for our system.
We do not want to be the same system we replaced. We need to be associated with energy, innovative and entrepreneurial.
We are helping the economy and the employers and raising the standard of living for our region.
This is the sixth NWA Conference. He spoke on the Florida model of workforce development and the good information that we will have on the legislative side. USA Works will also be speaking as a sister organization on some of the legislative advocacy we need to do with the system.
John acknowledged this blog.
David Bradley started with the fact that there is bad weather in New York. Mr. Brownstein was delayed with the flight out of New York. So, the schedule will be rearranged to the Monday morning at 8:15am. So the two speakers that are stuck in weather will be back to back on Monday morning. Monday morning was approved by the crowd. Sig Nelson will speak after the popcorn break. Sig will be here via video conference. David Obey will be on tomorrow via video conference on what is likely to happen between the white house and the congress.
Mr. Miller was invited to come; it appears that this will not happen due to a trip to China.
It appears he is the key person to help this system move forward. No Child Left Behind has yet to be introduced. Higher Ed is moving forward. WIA is still not on the table. There seems to be a need to pause and wait until after the new president is elected.
Mr. Miller sent a video to the conference. I think we need to have Mr. Miller take the lead in the reauthorization and I hope the system works hard to make sure Mr. Miller understands that this system serves this serious need. He stated we need to have a system that trains the workforce to be globally competitive.
So what is the lay of the land? David outlined the current status. I will comment on this in another blog.
Sigurd Nilsen began his presentation 3:50pm. Sig is now the Director, Policy Research, the Council on Foundations. He retired from the GAO, and works for Steven Gunderson (former Wisconsin US Representative). He was able to fly in to present in person.
National Fund for Workforce Solutions – rolled out on September 6 at the National Press Club. Anne E. Casey Foundation along with others have joined this fund. Objective: To improve the quality of the workforce system, invest in workers, and sustainable employment.
He said “work is changing” and looking at flexible and adaptive work. Create value – Real time and over time, decentralized, networked.
There is a laser focus on low wage workers and employers and how we can move those workers into sustainable wage jobs. The AEC foundation focused on workforce intermediaries. This was tested in five sites across the nation. Boston was more invested in workforce issues as foundations than what was sent by DOL to the regional WIB.
There was frustration with the workforce system from the foundations point of view. Soft skills get you retention of about three months. Vocational skills will get you a worker for more than a year.
The local investment will be matched 4:1. Goal is to help 50,000 people and more than 1,000 businesses. Foundations will invest at the beginning of the funding and develop sustainability. Clarify what we know and what we need to know. Demonstrate success in getting the workforce system to be successful. Stephanie Powers is the connector to the other foundations to get more collaborative. Evaluation component and research and DOL will invest in the research.
Implications for the public workforce system
A major concern with this foundation initiative and the WIRED grant and HGJI being developed outside the system to invest money in innovative initiatives.
Currently, not perceived as successful, as an innovator, and not connected outside its domain. We need to network with the local community system. How do we represent ourselves and tell our story.
We still do not tell our story well. We need data collection system that tells the story well.
We need to look at the entrepreneur model for our system.
We do not want to be the same system we replaced. We need to be associated with energy, innovative and entrepreneurial.
We are helping the economy and the employers and raising the standard of living for our region.
NWA
Today we statrt the National Workforce Association (NWA) meeting.
I will be blogging as we go thru the presentations. This will be an important update as to what is really happening in Washington with our appropiations bill and the chances of WIA reauthroization in this highly charged political year.
Sunday's speakers will begin with Ronald Brownstein, National Correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and political analyst for CNN, Author, Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Chairman George Miller (D-CA, 7th District)Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee and member of the House Natural Resources Committee. Sigurd Nilsen, Director of policy research, Council of Foundations will be here via webinar.
I will report what we learn in my next blog.
I will be blogging as we go thru the presentations. This will be an important update as to what is really happening in Washington with our appropiations bill and the chances of WIA reauthroization in this highly charged political year.
Sunday's speakers will begin with Ronald Brownstein, National Correspondent for the Los Angeles Times and political analyst for CNN, Author, Pulitzer Prize finalist.
Chairman George Miller (D-CA, 7th District)Chairman, House Education and Labor Committee and member of the House Natural Resources Committee. Sigurd Nilsen, Director of policy research, Council of Foundations will be here via webinar.
I will report what we learn in my next blog.
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