Published: Sep 12, 2022
Ocala Metro Receives Labor Force Participation Analysis
The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership, along with CareerSource and Duke Energy, partnered together to thoroughly examine the underlying reasons for a persistently low labor force participation rate (LFPR) in Marion County. The three components used to conduct the LFPR analysis consisted of an assessment of local, regional and national data related to workforce, demographics and employment trends; interviews with local employers to examine the actual recruiting and hiring experience; and a large-scale survey of the working-age population.
“Duke Energy is proud to support this analysis, which will help Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership and CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion better understand and address workforce challenges in Marion County,” explained Staci Bertrand, Duke Energy Florida government and community relations manager. “By understanding these factors, we can better prepare Florida’s workforce and increase the overall economic vitality throughout the communities we serve.”
Younger & Associates of Memphis, TN, conducted interviews with key employers in Marion County who provided a number of valuable insights about the labor market. Among the key findings are a need for bilingual (English/Spanish) workplaces and supervisors are necessary; Westport High School’s Logistics & Supply Chain program is providing new entrants into the labor force; and high school career days are effective. CareerSource and CEP are cited as being effective, proactive partners for employers. While the ongoing rapid population growth in Marion County is not accurately reflected in LFPR statistics, the survey found that 57.15% of people not working were seeking employment.
“This report offers some options to respond to the difficulties that employers have securing the talent they need for their companies. CareerSource CLM, working with the CEP, believes that a key solution is in the development of a talent pipeline that originates in businesses linking with our school system,” said Rusty Skinner, CEO of CareerSource CLM. “Developing stronger participation in our Youth Career Expos, which create awareness in 8th and 9th graders, as well as experiential learning opportunities for students ages 16 and above are essential. Along with the CEP, we will be working with the Marion County School System to expand career awareness and after-school and summer employment.”
The CEP is working to help facilitate workgroups to assist employers with the resources to:
- employ more bilingual supervisors
- establish centralized intake for to assist employers with hiring individuals with a criminal record or who have been incarcerated
- seek affordable caregiving options for individuals re-entering the workforce after the pandemic
“This is data is so valuable as we work with CareerSource CLM, the school system, College of Central Florida, the Children’s Alliance, and others to address issues which are keeping individuals out of the workforce,” said Kevin T. Sheilley, CEP President/CEO. “Now is the time to address these recommendations while our job market continues to be so strong.”
For more information or to inquire about serving on a work group, please contact Beth McCall, Director of Talent Development, at 352.629.8051 or Beth@OcalaCEP.com. An executive summary of the report can be found here.
***
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership was created to be a one-stop hub for the community’s business attraction, creation and retention efforts. The CEP’s mission is to be THE catalyst for a prosperous community. The 2020 National Chamber of the Year, the CEP has directly impacted the announced creation of nearly 10,000 new jobs and more than $1.2 billion in capital investment and is seeking an additional 5,000 jobs and $1 billion in investment by 2027. For more information, visit: www.OcalaCEP.com
# # #