Emmetsburg, Iowa - Economic Development - Laborshed Analysis Palo Alto County

Laborshed Analysis Palo Alto County
Executive Summary
2004

To view the complete report, Laborshed Analysis of Palo Alto County, 2004, along with the tables and charts, go to iowaworkforce.org/lmi/labsur/paloaltoexecsum.pdf

Information compiled by Community Workforce Research & Development Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) www.iowaworkforce.org

What is a Laborshed?
Total Potential Employed Labor Force
Employed – Those Willing to Change Employment
Unemployed, Homemakers, and Retirees – Those Willing to Enter/Re-enter Employment
Labor Characteristics for Advanced Manufacturing

What is a Laborshed?

Laborshed studies provide community economic developers and existing or prospective employers a flexible tool to understand the local labor market and make informed expansion and site selection decisions.

A Laborshed is defined as the area or region from which an employment center draws its commuting workers. Laborshed studies show the distribution of the workers irrespective of natural or political boundaries. Laborsheds also address underemployment, the availability and willingness of current and prospective employees to change employment within the workforce, current and desired occupations, wages, hours worked and distance willing to commute to work.

Total Potential Employed Labor Force

Of the Total potential employed labor force of 25,552:

70.6% are full-time, 14.7% part-time, 12.1% self-employed, and 2.7% seasonal/temporary.
22.2% are employed in professional/technical occupations followed by 21.4% in production/construction occupations.
64.5% have some level of education beyond high school; 21.9% have an undergraduate degree, and 7.2% have a post graduate degree.
Average age is 44 years old
Currently commuting an average of 9 miles one way for employment

Employed - Those willing to change employment

Industrial Classification:

Estimated number of individuals very likely or some what likely to change employment: 2,600
Average age – 41 year old
22.3% expressed an interest in working a variety of work schedules (i.e. combinations of 2nd, 3rd or split shifts)
Job search techniques used when seeking employment opportunities:
- Local newspapers; Democrat/Reporter – Emmetsburg, and Estherville Daily News/Spirit
- Internet sites: www.iowaworkforce.org and www.monster.com
- Local Iowa Workforce Development Centers
- Regional newspapers: the Des Moines Register and the Fort Dodge Messenger

Out-Commuters:

Out-commuters are defined as people who are employed, live in Emmetsburg, and commute to other communities for employment. In 2004, 454 persons were considered out-commuters.
An estimated 247 people of those commuting out of Emmetsburg for employment are willing to change for the “right opportunity”
Out-commuters are currently commuting an average of 20 miles one way for employment.
Current median wage is $10.75/hr or $35,000/yr.
Primarily employed in professional or clerical occupations
86.3% have education/training beyond high school, 22.7% have associate degrees; 13.6% have undergraduate degrees, and 9.1% have postgraduate degrees.

Underemployed:

The underemployed are comprised of individuals who are underemployed 1) due to inadequate hours (those working less than 35 hours/week but desiring more hours), 2) low income (those working at wages equal to or less than the national poverty level), and/or 3) mismatch of skills (those who are working in positions that do not meet their skill or education levels or worked for higher wages at a previous employment). Individuals may be underemployed for more than one reason; but are only counted once.

3.9% (approximately 101 people) are underemployed due to inadequate hours.
7.0% (approximately 182 people) are underemployed due to a mismatch of skills
2.1% (approximately 55 people) are underemployed due to low income
Total estimate underemployment for Palo Alto County Laborshed area is 11.2%.

Unemployed, Homemakers, and Retirees – Those willing to Enter/Re-enter Employment

Unemployed:

An estimated 377 of those identified as unemployed respondents, are willing to accept/enter employment

Average age is 42 years old
76.5% became unemployed within the last year
73.3% held full-time positions in their previous employment
40.0% would be willing to consider a variety of work schedules(combinations of 2nd, 3rd or split shifts)
64.3% expressed interest in seasonal opportunities, and 56.3% in temporary opportunities
41.2% have pos high school education; 10.0% and 17.6% have an undergraduate degree
Estimate hourly wage range to attract 66-75% of the most qualified applications is $10.00 to $11.00/hr
Job search techniques (when actively seeking employment):
- 50.0% local Iowa Work Force Development Centers
- 50.0% local newspapers: the Democrat/Reporter – Emmetsburg & Estherville Daily News/Spirit
- 42.9% the Internet: www.iowaworkforce.org & other basic internet sites
- 28.6% networking through family, friends or acquaintances
- 21.4% regional newspapers: Daily Reporter-Spencer, the Messenger-Fort Dodge; and the Des Moines Register
Willing to commute an average of 26 miles one way for the right opportunity
The unemployed are seeking the following benefits in an employment offer:
- 902.9% health/medical insurance
- 35.7% dental coverage
- 35.7% paid sick leave
- Paid vacation, prescription drug coverage, vision coverage, pension/retirement, paid holidays and tuition assistance were also mentioned as influencing benefits.

Labor Characteristics for Advanced Manufacturing

Flexibility in the Workplace by percent of interest.

Cross-training – 90.0%
Job teams – 85.7%
Varied shifts (2nd, 3rd, and split) – 30.0%
Seasonal work – 45.5%
Temporary work assignments – 34.8%

Other Facts:

88.5% are employed Full-time
86.3% paid an hourly wage
15.9% hold two or more jobs
Maintained employment for an average of 12 years
Top two types of manufacturing include:
Metal Fabrication
Transportation Equipment

Benefits Influencing Change of Employment:

Health/Medical Insurance – 80.0%
Paid Vacation – 55.0%
Paid Sick Leave – 40.0%
Pension/Retirement/401K – 30.0%
Paid Holidays – 20.0%

Potential Available Labor Per Occupational Category: 5,024
Business/Financial Operations – 96
Engineering – 191
Office Support – 870
Science – 96
Maintenance & Repair – 387
Production – 2,705
Material Moving – 679

Education Levels:
High School graduate or higher – 83%
Education beyond high school – 48.1%
Vocational Training – 7.7%
Associate degree – 1.9%
Undergraduate degree – 13.4%
Postgraduate degree – 1.9%

Fields of Study:
Trade Certification – 27.3%
General Studies – 27.3%
Science/Math – 13.6%
Business & Public Administration – 9.1%
Engineering & Architecture – 9.1%

City of Emmetsburg
2021 Main St
Emmetsburg, IA 50536
(712) 852-4030