Future Focused Labor Market Research A Home Brew Approach NCWE – 2013 Annual Conference Milwaukee, WI – Oct. 16, 2013.

Future Focused Labor Market Research

A “Home Brew” Approach

NCWE – 2013 Annual ConferenceMilwaukee, WI – Oct. 16, 2013

What are the challenges?

Delaware Tech’s Challenges

• Data was irrelevant due to being outdated

• Not specific to DE

• Not specific to 2-year programs

• Didn’t look at emerging occupations (Energy Industry)

• Only current data, not future

• Faculty didn’t have time/resources to do in-depth research

• Didn’t look at factors that are constantly evolving/changing

Centers of Excellence Research Model

• Primary research complements and builds upon existing secondary sources

• Workforce needs are validated by industry• Research identifies industry conditions and

drivers• Reveals emerging occupations not yet classified

through traditional LMI.• Highlights regional nuances• Both a supply AND demand analysis

CA COE Value Creation Model

TimelineSep

t.

2011

Mar

ch

2012

July

2012

Feb.

2013

July

/August

2013

Nov.

2013

TAACCCT Grant

Awarded

Director Hired

Mission, Vision, Brand

Finalized

First Study on Delaware’s

Energy Market Com

plete

Data Analyst and Admin

Assistant Hired

Second Study on Engineering

Technology Due for

Completion

* Implementation of recommendations from Energy Industry study began in March 2013…approximately one year after start up. Impact has been felt college-wide. Employers feel like we are finally “paying attention”.

Keys to Partnership

Keep in Mind

Partners should have varying expertise (see right)

Don’t reinvent the wheel!

HOWEVER - Understand YOUR region, college, and needs and create a program that meets those needs---No model is one size fits all

Develop a schedule to meet/talk

ASK FOR HELP

Perspectives & Expertise

Strategic

OperationalTechnical

Keys to Success

• Support from College Administrators– College President, VPs, Deans, Faculty (Credit and Non-Credit), Marketing

• State-Level Support – Secretaries (Labor, Economic Development, and other key leaders)

• Industry Expertise – Associations, Societies, Councils, Boards, Consortiums

• Strategic Partnerships – Education,

Media/Press, Major Employers

• Personnel – Unique set of skills/competencies

Lessons Learned STAKEHOLDERS GET IT – They see the value and want to see you

succeed.

IT COSTS MONEY – However, there is a return on that up-front investment, and remember that prices are often negotiable

REPORTS MUST BE DATA DRIVEN – Data may not always reflect what you (or the college) want to see. Objectivity buildings credibility. Credibility builds visibility.

TELL THE WHOLE STORY - Combine quantitative and qualitative data sources to capture both sides – Supply AND Demand.

DON’T COMPETE FOR RESOURCES - Build on what partners have/do.

GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND - Staff selection is key to success

THERE WILL ALWAYS BE CHALLENGES – Every survey/study will have its unique challenges – Approach every challenge as a learning opportunity.

Sustaining CIRWA’s Success

Sustainability

College Funding

State/Federal Grants

Private Sector Support

Fee-for-Service Model

College President’s commitment to continued funding

State and Federal grants can help support primary research efforts

CIRWA has already had requests to do research for outside entities…possibility for the future.

Private sector - particularly associations, councils, and boards will see the value in supply/demand data.

Q & ACIRWA Contact Info

Veronica S. Buckwalter, DirectorCenter for Industry Research & Workforce Alignment (CIRWA)

Delaware Technical Community College

Terry Campus – Dover, [email protected]

(302) 857-1599

www.dtcc.edu/cirwa

CA COE Contact InfoJohn Carrese, Director

Bay Region Center of Excellence, City College of San Francisco

[email protected](415) 452-5529

Elaine Gaertner, Former Statewide Director (Retired)

California Centers of [email protected]

(408) 623-8611

www.coeccc.net