Local Workforce Study Complete - June 30, 2004

To help local employers, educational institutions, and economic development agencies gain a clearer picture of workforce issues in the Columbia Gorge, a team of local agencies sponsored a workforce study earlier this year.

The results of that study were presented to the sponsors and other interested people on June 23. The interviews were conducted in May 2004.

Some of the study findings:

• 52.1% of all respondents have lived at their current address for 10 years or more. (Indicating a relatively stable workforce.)
• 15.6% of the respondents completed an educational goal in the past two year
• 9.9% of the survey respondents are currently attending school either part-time or full-time
• Educational attainment of survey respondents:
  • 5.5% have not completed high school or GED
  • 31.8% have some type of post-secondary education/training, but no four-year degree
  • 22.9% have at least a bachelor's degree
  • 10% speak Spanish fluently
  • 15% report a family member who lives outside the area who would like to return but cannot find satisfactory employment.

Regarding those currently employed:

• 74.6% are employed
• 23.9% are self-employed (a very high percentage)
• 96.5% are employed full-time with 20.7% employed full-time in seasonal work
• 17.3% report having a second job. 49.1% are self-employed in their second job
• The most frequently reported industries for primary employment are:
  • Retail and Wholesale Trade 11%
  • Construction 9.6%
  • Medical Services 9.4%
  • Business & Professional Services 9.2%
  • Agriculture 8.8%
  • Hospitality/Hotel/Restaurant 8.3%
• 61.7% of employed report an annual income of under $35,000
• 60.4% of the respondents travel less than 15 minutes to work, while 22.3% travel 30 minutes or more
• 43.7% report having experience or specialized training that qualifies them for a better job but only 9.9% believe their work options are limited by a lack of jobs in their field of training/education.

Regarding those that aren't employed:

• 25.4% are not currently employed, due to lack of suitable work (27.8%), retirement (22.4%), disability (16.7%), or raising a family, attending school or other reasons
• The primary employable skills reported by those not currently employed are:
  • Construction & Building Trades 16.5%
  • Medical Services 12.1%
  • Manufacturing 7%
  • Hospitality/Hotel/Restaurant 6%
  • 32.3% report their work options are limited by lack of jobs in their field of education/training
  • 83.9% indicated interest in training/education to acquire new job skills
  • 39.1% indicate a willingness to drive 45 minutes or more to work

Of those not employed, but interested in employment:

• 55.4% would like work immediately
• 67% want full-time work, 33% prefer part-time employment
• An average of $23,666 is the required starting salary or wage

Of the self-employed:

• 23.9% report self-employment for their primary job. This compares to 15.6% for Oregon, 14.4% for Washington and 9.2% for the US
• 40.4% of the self-employed also report that they are underemployed with specialized training or experience that qualifies them for a better job

Of the underemployed:

• 43.7% report experience or specialized training that qualifies them for a better job
• This group holds the following certifications or licenses:
  • 11.5% Commercial driver's license
  • 10.3% Medical technician or higher
  • 5.9% Teaching certificate
  • 4.9% Food handler certification
  • 3.9% Contractor's license or specialized trade certification
  • 3.6% Welder's certification

The study was conducted by Younger Associates, a firm specializing in workforce analysis for economic development organizations. The study team completed 1,449 interviews at 19 local grocery stores, restaurants, general stores and a post office. The study locations were scattered throughout Hood River, Gilliam, Sherman, Wasco, Wheeler, Klickitat and Skamania County.

Ten agencies sponsored the study, including Region 9 Workforce Investment Board, Mid-Columbia Council of Governments, Columbia Gorge Community College, Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, Hood River County, Oregon Employment Department, WorkSource Washington, Southwest Washington Workforce Development Council, Tri County Workforce Council (Klickitat) and the Mid-Columbia Economic Development District.

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