Beyond the Unemployment Rate: Workforce Profiles for Economic Development

Standard public employment data do not contain information critical to many economic development efforts. The problems with these data become especially acute in a slow population growth region where labor shortages are more the rule than are labor surpluses. To address these issues, an extensive survey of employees and employers was conducted in 17 regions covering the entire state of Maine. The survey data were combined with other public data about the labor force into an on-line database and a series of reports on each region. Results from the surveys provide detailed information on factors affecting labor force mobility, employee recruitment and compensation, and the distribution of skills and training. Approaches to collecting detailed workforce data using phone and mail surveys are discussed along with the limitations of the methods chosen and suggestions for improving methods for those who may consider undertaking such studies in their own regions.