Northern Plains & Rocky Mountain Consortium Project Overview Presented by: Todd Younkin, Research and Analysis Bureau Chief Montana Department of Labor.

Northern Plains & Rocky MountainConsortium

Project Overview

Presented by:Todd Younkin, Research and Analysis Bureau Chief

Montana Department of Labor and Industry April 19, 2011

The Vision

• Concept Based on Interstate Partnerships– Montana (lead state), Utah, Wyoming, South Dakota,

Nebraska, and Iowa– Contiguous states all with unique impacts on economy

due to energy production

• Project would look at “green” jobs, with an emphasis on energy-related activities

• Rely as much as possible on existing research/data

Project Highlights

• Green Jobs Survey

• New Hires Survey

• New and Emerging Technologies

• IMPLAN Modeling

• Projections Update

• CIS Investment

Consortium Governance• Executive Board comprised of LMI Directors from

member states– MT as lead state chairs the board

– MT also provides the project manager

– Quorum standards

– Majority rules, not necessarily consensus

• MT primary fiscal contact – able to work through WIA Fiscal Unit – Benefit from prior experience with ETA/ARRA $$

Communication is a Priority

• Project officially began with workplan meeting first week of January, 2010

• Weekly consortium conference calls

• Individual workgroups meet separately and as needed

• Quarterly face-to-face Consortium meetings

• Extensive use of Collaborative Workspace

Challenges

• Timelines

• Federal and State Bureaucracies

• Politics

Featured Consortium Research

• Green Jobs Survey – information about green jobs in the consortium

• New Hires Survey – what are the skills that result in wage progression and job retention in new hires

• New and Emerging Technologies

• Regulatory Impact on Occupation Demand

• Sustainable agriculture

Additional Consortium Research• Labor Supply and Demand Analysis - Do our workers have the skills

needed to fill green jobs?

• Replacement Needs – When and to what extent will the aging workforce result in increased replacement needs? What industries will be most affected?

• Identify training resources for workers interested in green jobs

• IMPLAN analysis of topical state-specific projects, including ARRA-funded infrastructure projects

• Data mining of job openings to identify hiring trends and skills in demand

• CIS Investment for states with IntoCareers – affiliated career information systems – add information on “green” to CIS

IMPLAN Case Studies

Transmission Line Construction - Montana

4.7 total jobs per $1.0

million invested if an in-

state contractor was used

360 total jobs per year on

the MATL line

IMPLAN Case Studies

Forest Restoration

19.5 total jobs per $1.0 million of investment

IMPLAN Case Studies

Montana Restoration Industry – Silver Bow Creek Superfund Cleanup

31.5 total jobs per $1.0 million of capital investment

Jobs were of above average wage

IMPLAN Case Studies

Sewage Treatment Plant -- South Dakota

964 Jobs created through ARRA sewage treatment grants

IMPLAN Case Studies

Drinking Water Infrastructure Improvements in Nebraska

$33 million in economic activity

253 total jobs

Beyond the Research

• Survey experience

• Use of administrative records

• Cognitive testing

• Qualitative info in support of projections

• Economic modeling capabilities

• Improving our ability to work cooperatively and effectively across states

Where Do We Go From Here?

• Additional investments– Infrastructure funding vs. competitive grants– Continue key research

• Awareness of and access to results– Available to future research/workforce

development efforts– Ensure impact on workforce development

FIND OUR RESEARCH AT

www.researchingthegreeneconomy.com