subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Sun, Jul 05 2009 

Resources

print this story   Print this story
  Post to del.icio.us

Photos


Nanette Robertson


Published September 26, 2008 04:22 pm - The Eastern Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) is interested in growing the wealth of the its area.

Agency strives to develop work force, meet employer needs


By Nanette Robertson
Local view

The Eastern Workforce Investment Board (EWIB) is interested in growing the wealth of the its area, which consists of Adair, Cherokee, McIntosh, Muskogee, Okmulgee and Wagoner counties.

With an aging population, some industries may find themselves with a shortage of workers as the baby boomers retire and the emerging work force does not meet the need in numbers or skill levels.

The increase in the minority population may ease the impact. However, with potential language barriers or cultural differences, employers may need assistance with adjusting to a diverse labor force.

A labor force study conducted by the Oklahoma Department of Commerce and the University of Oklahoma research departments have identified over 40,000 workers who are currently available for other work. These workers represent the underemployed and job shifters in the Eastern Workforce area.

Additionally, there are approximately another 16,000 job seekers (not under-employed and have not looked for work in the past three months) that can be included in this labor pool.

Each year, the EWIB receives federal Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds, which may be used to increase the skills of eligible adults, dislocated workers and youth.

Occupational skills training activities are a substantial component of the workforce development services that are offered through the Workforce Oklahoma Centers.

However, due to the federal rescision of WIA funds, training activities have been reduced.

By identifying demand occupations, EWIB can help to make sure that WIA resources are deployed to meet the current and future work force needs of employers in our area, especially in the medical field. These occupations may be found on the EWIB Web site at www.easternwib.com.

The use of the ACT WorkKeysİ assessment tool in the Workforce Oklahoma Centers has provided a big insight into the skills of the existing work force. An analysis of these results has indicated a serious deficiency in the basic skill levels — reading for comprehension, locating information and applied math — of current and potential workers.

This is continually reinforced during site visits with employers.

By creating a pipeline of certified workers who address the skills sets needed by employers, regional economic development entities will be able to recruit businesses and retain existing industries to the region because of the existing skilled work force.

EWIB is concerned about what is perceived as a lack of assistance to the non-college bound during their elementary and high school years.

As the growing number of jobs for the future will require two-year technical certificates, it is important for students who are interested in technical training to be assisted while in high school to adequately prepare for that training.

Additionally, the EWIB is concerned about the number of students who do not graduate from high school. Without the skills learned during the high school years, these individuals will be unable to find jobs at self-sufficient wages, and local employers will not be able to fill job vacancies.



print this story    email this story    comment on this story   

Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.




Zillow
monster
autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide


Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Premier Guide

Premium Jobs

4647-Groundsman
Tahlequah Public Works Authority is accepting applications for the position of Tree Trimmer/Groundsman. Applications are...>MORE

4592-Child Care
Immediate openings for (2) full-time teacher positions. One for the Sate Pilot Program requires Associates in Child Deve...>MORE

4642-Retail Clerk
Retail Thrift Store (part-time) clerk needed at Hostess/Wonder Bread Outlet located at 1004 East Side Blvd., Muskogee. G...>MORE

4632-Insurance Agents
Your future is in your hands.
Allstate agents are not franchisees; rather they are exclusive agent independent cont
...>MORE

4635-TANF Coordinator
The Indian Capital Technology Center, Muskogee Campus, is accepting applications for the above position.

For
...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Autos

4667-1986 Ford F 350
2 wheel dr., dually, 7.3 diesel, 4 spd. 918-682-4811...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Real Estate

4665-Small Apartment
with stove & fridge, by lake Ft. Gibson located between Wagoner and Muskogee, all bills paid. $450/mo. 918-625-0740...>MORE

See all ads

Premium Extras

4666-Hay
Big large Johnson grass hay bales, $20.

Big large Bermuda grass hay bales. $25.
918-466-3370
...>MORE

4670-Bass Boat
18 ft Vision 115hp, 4 cly. Mercury, 40lb Minn Kota, 2 locators, excellent condition. Extras. 1 owner. $5500. 918-348-877...>MORE

4664- Kubota Tractor
35HP, 4WD with loader & implements. needs work. Best offer. 918-616-0205...>MORE

4668-Skeeter Fish & Ski
2002 150hp Yamaha, 19ft, barely used, $11,000. 918-251-2964...>MORE

4629-AKC Boxer Pups
6 weeks, shots & wormed. $250 ea. 918-478-8619...>MORE

See all ads


 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index