THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT

Click here to read the REVISED (2010) RPWDB State of the Workforce Report (PDF*)

This State of the Workforce Report 2010 for the Regional Partnership region provides a snapshot of the varied strengths and challenges for these areas. It also outlines important issues and frames key opportunities for action designed to answer questions about the area's workforce preparedness in the new economy, which depends more on knowledge and skills than brawn and physical effort.

Current strategies and programs that deal with unemployed workers are very different from those available five years ago. Unemployment is higher now, and the region still experiences relatively low industrial diversity and an increasing wage differential among workers. Greater employer demand for skilled workers means that today’s workforce must develop the capacity to update their skill sets in order to survive in the evolving job market. Because of this, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce (CSW) and the local workforce board set out to determine the best way to define the state of the existing workforce and its ability to become part of the new economy.

OBJECTIVES OF THIS REPORT

• Identify competitive strengths and challenges for the Regional Partnership region
• Build a credible foundation for strategic planning
• Engage policy makers and stakeholders