Published: Feb 25, 2022
Survey to Measure Changes in Ocala Metro Workforce
Ocala has grown, attracted new businesses, and has seen long-time businesses expand, creating numerous job opportunities across Marion County. How do people connect with these jobs and make the most of these opportunities?
The Ocala Metro Chamber and Economic Partnership, along with CareerSource and Duke Energy, are joining forces to conduct a new kind of workforce study. “This project will help position us to compete in the global economy for the best economic development opportunities and jobs,” says Kevin Sheilley, President & CEO of the Ocala CEP. “In the short term, this data will assist existing businesses in finding qualified available workers. It will also help match workers with jobs and training programs. Long term, this project will provide planning data to prepare the workforce for the future.
The survey will be conducted by in-person interviews at busy retail centers and local events throughout the Ocala Metro area. Participants will be asked a set of questions that will take less than 2 minutes to answer. “We ask people across Marion County to participate,” says Sheilley. “It’s easy to do, and the results will help our county continue to bring new opportunities.
The survey team will be conducting the interviews March 2-5. Some of the places you will find them are:
- The Paddock Mall, 3100 SW College Rd.
- Habitat Strawberry Festival, 601 SE 25th Ave.
- First Friday Art Walk, Ocala Downtown Square
The interviewers will be conducting the interviews in English and Spanish. Questions include current skill and training levels as well as preferences for:
• Part-time, full-time, and flexible work schedules
• Childcare and other dependent care needs
• Preferred fields of training for new jobs
• Remote working options
Participant names are not collected, and survey responses are completely anonymous.
Younger Associates, based in Jackson and Memphis, TN, is the economic development research firm conducting the study. Younger Associates is nationally recognized for the effectiveness of information and strategies they produce. For more information, contact Bart Rowland, Director of Job Creation with Ocala CEP at 352-629-8051.
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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
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