Okaloosa County BOCC — April 19, 2016 — CareerSource Okaloosa 2016-2020 Plan for County Commissioners Review — reading text

13 | P a g e  The LWDA 02 unemployment rate was 4.2% in February, 2016. This rate was 0.8 percentage point lower than the region’s year ago rate of 5.0 percent. The region’s February, 2016 unemployment rate was 0.5 percent point lower than the state rate of 4.7 percent. Out of a labor force of 116,167 there were 4,883 unemployed residents in the region. In February, 2016 nonagricultural employment in the Crestview-Fort Walton Beach- Destin MSA was 104,200, an increase of 1,500 jobs (+5.2 percent) in February, 2016. The Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin MSA had the third fastest annual job growth rate compared to all the metro areas in the state in financial activities (+5.2 percent) in February, 2016. The financial activities (5.2 percent) and government (1.0 percent) industries grew as fast as or faster in the metro area than statewide over the year. The industries gaining in jobs over the year were: professional and business services (+500 jobs); education and health services (+400 jobs); financial activities (+300 jobs); leisure and hospitality (+300 jobs); and, government (+200 jobs). The mining, logging, and construction (-200 jobs) industries lost jobs over the year. The manufacturing; trade, transportation, and utilities; information; and other services industries remained unchanged over the year. Population Percent of 2015 2014 Change Change CareerSource 0.8 252,585 250,459 2,126 Okaloosa Walton 191,898 190,666 1,232 0.6 Okaloosa county 60,687 59,793 894 1.5 Walton County 19,815,183 19,507,369 307,814 1.6 Florida CareerSource Okaloosa Walton April 30, 2016 14 | P a g e  Average Annual Wage Percent of 2014 2013 Change Change CareerSource 2.2 $39,282 $38,447 $835 Okaloosa Walton $41,135 $0,225 $910 2.3 Okaloosa County $32,803 $32,145 $658 2.0 Walton County $44,810 $43,651 $1,159 2.7 Florida The CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Targeted Occupational List (TOL) (Attachment 3) is a valuable tool used locally to plan for projected growth in occupations in the region .This list is used by staff in making decisions regarding issuing of Individual Training Accounts (ITA’s) or providing On-the Job Training (OJT) opportunities. The CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board remains alert to critical and newly emerging occupations in existing businesses as well as newly recruited businesses to the region. The CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board shares this list and other important labor market information with its business and education partners. On a minimum of an annual basis, the CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board is asked to review the latest Targeted Occupational List to determine if changes need to be made by adding or deleting occupations. The review and recommendation task has been delegated to the Business Competitiveness Council for recommendations to the full CareerSource Okaloosa Walton Board. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton April 30, 2016 15 | P a g e (2) Please provide an analysis of the knowledge and skills needed to meet the employment needs of the employers in the region, including employment needs in in- demand industry sectors and occupations. WIOA §108(b)(1)(B) The 2015 Regional Economic Snapshot for CareerSource Okaloosa Walton: Regional Workforce 132,406 Median Earnings Okaloosa County - $27,771 Median Earnings Walton County $25,294 CareerSource Okaloosa Walton April 30, 2016 16 | P a g e  Retired or otherwise separated military veterans make up 1/3 of Okaloosa's population. The large military presence draws a great diversity of technology-based firms. With over 3,000 military men and women separating from the military and staying in the area each year our labor market offers an educated, highly-skilled and highly disciplined work force. This coveted workforce supplements the defense contractors' needs. Over 300 local technology-based firms contract with the local military bases. The EDC created TeCMEN in its commitment to growing its technology industries. The Technology Coast Manufacturing and Engineering Network (TeCMEN) is a collaborative network of high-technology manufacturing and engineering service companies working together to gain access to larger projects by partnering and teaming. Assisting in this commitment are Okaloosa's learning institutions that offer associate, undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees, as well as certification programs and technology-transfer services. The defense contracting in Okaloosa County creates the foundation for growth and expansion in high-technology segments of the economy. Local defense contractors have increased hiring in response to the increased military spending since September 11, 2001. Many are obtaining new contracts each year requiring hundreds of new employees. Okaloosa County is the leading technology center in Northwest Florida and continues to experience unprecedented growth. With the military being the #1 contributor in Okaloosa's economy the EDC maintains a leading edge through the Defense Support Initiative Committee in order to ensure the retention and continual growth of the Department of Defense in Okaloosa County. Growth management planning is also an objective of the DSI in preparation for the BRAC realignment personnel. The community's work force is supplemented by the spouses and dependents of the active duty military personnel and civilians, and the retired or separated military personnel from Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field. Retired or otherwise separated military veterans make up 1/3 of Okaloosa's population Some occupations appear on both the fastest growing percentage growth and the most new job openings whereas while some occupations have an extremely high rate of growth, the raw numbers remain small. Planning for training to fill vacancies must take both in consideration when decisions are being made on allocation of limited resources. (3) Please provide an analysis of the workforce in the region, including current labor force employment (and unemployment) data, information on labor market trends, and the educational and skill levels of the workforce in the region, including individuals with barriers to employment. WIOA §108(b)(1)(C) In 2013, the most common educational attainment level of LWDA 2 workforce participants from 25 to 64 years old was some college or Associate degree at 36.9 percent, followed by bachelor’s degree or higher at 28.0 percent, and then high school diploma (including equivalency) at 27.2 percent. Only 7.9 percent of workforce participants had attained less than a high school diploma. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton April 30, 2016 17 | P a g e The major need of the area’s businesses is to increase the supply of available educated and skilled individuals who are equipped with the worker readiness skills necessary to meet the needs of businesses. Job Seekers continue to be challenged by lack of affordable housing, transportation, and child care for non-standard operating hours. Despite notable improvements, access to affordable and responsive transportation remains an obstacle for many who are transitioning into or reentering the workforce. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is continuing to expand the partnership with applicable local community entities to move forward with solutions to the noted barriers to employment. Because of the rural nature of parts of the workforce region and long distances to commute from home to work, transportation is an issue. The rising fuel costs have increased this challenge. Improvements have been made; however, gaps still exist in availability of affordable, reliable transportation. Availability of child care for nighttime and shift work remains in short supply for those employees of businesses operating on a schedule different from the traditional 8-5. The Early Learning Coalition has also identified this as an important need for additional recruiting of quality service providers. Jobseekers also continue to work multiple part time jobs due to the heavy concentration of retail and hospitality related services industry jobs. Part time employment generally has few, if any, benefits; and rarely ever provides medical care options. Some occupations appear on both the fastest growing percentage growth and the most new job openings whereas while some occupations have an extremely high rate of growth, the raw numbers remain small. Planning for training to fill vacancies must take both in consideration when decisions are being made on allocation of limited resources. Job Seekers continue to be challenged by lack of affordable housing, transportation, and child care for non-standard operating hours. Despite notable improvements public transportation is almost nonexistent and access to affordable and responsive transportation remains an obstacle for many who are transitioning into or reentering the workforce. Because of the rural nature of parts of the workforce region and long distances to commute from home to work, transportation continues to be an issue even after employment is secured. The rising fuel costs have increased this challenge. Improvements have been made; however, gaps still exist in availability of affordable, reliable transportation. Availability of child care for nighttime and shift work remains in short supply for those employees of businesses operating on a schedule different from traditional hours between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM. As military installations continue to plan for the fiscal impact of a declining U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) budget, bases are being encouraged to engage in innovative community partnerships designed to lessen operational costs while also providing tangible benefit to the installation’s host community. CareerSource Okaloosa Walton is an active member of the Community Partnership Program and the Tri-County Community Initiative. Supporting the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA),