Survey on Workforce Summit, Sept. 9 - 10
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Executive Summary Presentations Facilitated Table Discussions Data Survey Data Participants

Survey

Purpose

During the survey, attendees were asked to answer a series of questions that were developed from the solutions given in the Facilitated Table Discussions. The goal of the survey was to gain consensus among the attendees in ranking the solutions.

Process

The survey was created utilizing the Poll Junkie survey web tool, http://www.polljunkie.com. The attendees were presented the same five questions they addressed during the Facilitated Table Discussion and asked to rank the answers collected during the Facilitated Table Discussions. The survey also included a feedback question after every main question to additional answers. Both the answer rankings and the feedback can be found in this section.

Attendees were asked to rank the questions answers using their smart phones or tablets. The team collected 73 responses during the Summit session. The survey link was then distributed to all of the attendees via email. On September 16, 2015 the survey was closed and the 97 responses received were utilized for the After Action Report.

The following questions were presented to the groups:

Observations


Question #1. What are our industry/occupation focus areas?

The results of Question #1, “What are our industry/occupation focus areas?”, can be found in Figure 4-1. Attendees were asked to rank the answers to the question. STEM was the highest ranked industry/occupation area, with an average rank of 2.8. Additional top five responses were Cybersecurity, Skilled Labor (welders, machinists, constructions, HVAC, etc.), Computer Application and Software Development and Healthcare tied for the fourth spot, and Semiconducters and Advanced Manufacturing (3D printing, composites, etc.) tied for the fifth spot. Automotive and CNC were mentioned multiple times in the feedback section found in Figure 4-2.

There were slight differences in the result of the surveyed solutions and the solutions given in the Facilitated Table Discussion. STEM was among the top 25 substantive words found within the groups’ suggestions, but manufacturing was the most frequent. Healthcare was a top selection in both the survey and the discussion.

The top suggestions align with the overall message of the Summit. STEM is vital in ensuring children receive the right education necessary for technical careers. The selected focus industries are reflective of the new, diverse workforce Region 2 seeks to bring to the area.

Figure 4-1: Average rank of answers to Question #1

Question #1: What are our industry/occupation focus areas? Rank Average
STEM 2.8
Cybersecurity 4.1
Skilled Labor (welders, machinists, constructions, HVAC, etc.) 5.3
Computer Application and Software Development 6.7
Healthcare 6.7
Semiconductors 7.3
Advanced Manufacturing (3D printing, composites, etc.) 7.3
Biomedical 7.4
Robotics 8
Service Industry 8.7
Teachers (STEM) 9.4
Communications 11.3
Supply Chain 11.3
Business (contracts specialists, Financial analysts, human resources, etc.) 11.4
Data Centers 12.2

Figure 4-2: Feedback – other suggested solutions

Are there any other industry/occupation focus areas you would like to mention that were not mentioned above?
Automotive
Industrial maintenance and CNC operators and programmers
Work ethic / engagement
Automotive
CNC operators and programmers Tool and die Industrial maintenance
Logistics/distribution
CNC Operators CNC Programmers Industrial maintenance technicians
Coding. 100 billion connected devices by 2025. This is where the jobs will be. We need our elementary schools, middle schools and high schools offering training and curriculum in coding.
Mechanical and electrical engineering
Robotics technicians/maintainers; Information Technology--could be a subset of some of the above; business development/marketing
Automotive (Lean Manufacturing, Automotive Core Tools, Quality)

Figure 4-3: Average rank of answers to Question #1 response trend (Click image for a larger view.)

Figure 4-4: Top five answers with selection breakdown


Question #2. What organizations need to be involved?

The results of survey Question #2 (What organizations need to be involved?) can be found in Figure 4-5. When compared to the answers to Question #1, the respondents did not agree on a number one answer. K-12, Chamber of Commerce, and 2 and 4 Year Colleges were the top three responses with a difference of a tenth of a point between the ranks. This trend can be seen in Figure 4-7. The top six are relatively close in average ranking with a significant jump of nearly 2 points between Regional Workforce Council and Professional Societies. Respondents recommended K-12 teachers be involved as well, not just K-12 representatives. Fourteen respondents did not answer Question #2.

The rankings indicate success will be obtained through a collaboration of education, community, and industry. This is a common theme throughout the Workforce Summit presentation, Facilitated Table Discussions, and the survey.

Figure 4-5: Average rank of answers to Question #2

Question #2: What organizations need to be involved? Rank Average
K-12 4.2
Chamber of Commerce 4.3
2 and 4 Year Colleges 4.4
Business Owners and Industry Leaders 4.7
Economic Development Directors 5.6
Regional Workforce Council 5.7
Professional Societies 7.8
Intern Development Program (IDP) 8.2
Elected Officials 9.8
Department of Commerce 9.9
Redstone Arsenal 10.9
Parents and Students 10.9
Career Centers 11.3
Alabama Commission on Higher Education (ACHE) 12.7
Media 13.8
TVA 14.2
Community Centers (Boys & Girls Club, veterans reps, churches, etc.) 14.5

Figure 4-6: Feedback – other suggested solutions 

Are there any organizations you would like to suggest that were not mentioned above?
Foundations - funding sources private and public
Actual K-12 teachers not just representatives.
technical, vocational and trade schools
National orgs that support WF dev and education
technical schools
Higher education
In dealing with K-12 actually have teachers present not just "representatives"
Afterschool which is a broader focus but could include community centers, K-12 programs, boys and girls clubs, Girls Inc., 4-H, etc.
NASA
Any organization that is focused on projecting the types of jobs that will be available in the near future, 5, 10, 20 years out. There is a compelling case about the types of jobs that will be available in the near future. 40 percent of current Fortune 500 companies will no longer be in business in the next 10 years. Important to prepare for what will be available and not simply react to what is currently available.
With the anticipation of further reductions in military forces and DOD Civilians, the VA and their numerous centers to help veterans leaving service should be players. We need to leverage the job fairs at military bases and communities.
Trade Associations; HMCBA, ABC, AGC, Realtors, NAM
It is hard to rank these, because ALL need to be involved.

Figure 4-7: Average rank of answers to Question #2 response trend (Click image for a larger view.)

Figure 4-8: Top five answers with selection breakdown


Question #3. Who should take the lead?

Respondents did not establish a solid consensus for “Who should take the lead?”. As depicted in Figure 4-9, the average rank of the responses was between two and three. Regional Workforce Development Council and Business Owners and Industry Leaders tie for the top spot. Only two tenths of a point separated the Chamber of Commerce from the top ranked answers. Higher education, including two and four year colleges, is frequently mentioned in the feedback section of the survey. These answers are reflective of both the presentations and the Facilitated Table Discussions. Fifteen respondents failed to answer Question #3.

Figure 4-9: Average rank of answers to Question #3

Question #3: Who should take the lead? Rank Average
Regional Workforce Development Council 2.3
Business Owners and Industry Leaders 2.3
Chamber of Commerce 2.5
K-12 3

Figure 4-10: Feedback – other suggested solutions 

Do you have any suggested lead organization that was not mentioned?
K12 is following the Industry lead/requests
2 year and 4 year colleges
I really think there should be a true partnership (not education telling business what to do nor visa versa.) I would love to see a full-time position (perhaps working for the entire region's Chambers of Commerce) to be the liaison between education and business to help develop programs (including finding the resources) that meet the needs in the job market.
Dept of Commerce
2 and 4 year colleges should also be considered leaders!
Economic Development organizations. Not all are in Chambers
AIDT. Economic Development organizations. Why COC and not Economic Development?
Higher Education
2 -4 year colleges
Higher Education/Community Colleges
Higher Ed.
I really think it has to be a partnership among all of these, but I personally think the Chamber of Commerce should take the lead as a "mediator," so to speak, between industry and education. This can be tricky since they often do not, unfortunately, speak the same language and/or understand the needs/challenges of each other.
I do not know enough to earmark those organizations that have been formed to address this issue. Certainly the Alabama Secretary of Commerce should be involved for the state, and collaborate with other states/regions. Dr. Bice, School Superintendent and all district reps should be all over this.
Department of Commerce
Postsecondary would be another one involved in leading.

Figure 4-11: Average rank of answers to Question #3 response trend (Click image for a larger view.)

Figure 4-12: Top four answers with selection breakdown


Question #4. How do we measure success?

Job placement was the top ranked solution for how to measure success. However, it received an average rank of 4 as opposed to a 1 or 2 ranking, indicated there was not a consensus for a number one choice. Figure 4-16 reveals how many ranks of 1-5 the top five choices received. Unemployment Rates and Education Completion Rates came in second and third receiving similar rankings. Education Enrollment and Benchmark the Gates Foundation tied for fifth with an average rank score of 7. Suggestions varied in the feedback section involving other ways to measure success. Sixteen respondents failed to answer Question #4.

Figure 4-13: Average rank of answers to Question #4

Question #4: How do we measure success? Rank Average
Job Placement 4
Unemployment Rates 5.2
Education Completion Rates 5.3
Test Scores 6.2
Skill Gaps 6.7
Education Enrollment 7
Benchmark Gates Foundation 7
Internships and Apprentice Opportunities 7.8
Economic Growth 8.1
Certifications and Degrees 8.2
Workforce Retention 9.5
Scholarships Awarded 9.6
Quality of Life 11.9
Amount of Student Loan Debt 12.7
Poverty Rate 12.8
Median Income 13.8

Figure 4-14: Feedback – other suggested solutions 

Any other suggestions for measuring success?
Employer surveys
Can't establish measurements if you don't know what your objective is. What is the objective. Then you can categorize these measures
Develop rubrics
remediation rates
What are you measuring??? Need to define the objective or goal first. Then come up with measurements on how to do that.
An action plan must be developed with objectives, goals and actions to attain goals. Metrics are derived to measure attainment of goals. The list above is a shotgun blast with no objectives. May be good to look at what is attainable in a year, two years, etc. I believe that training is available for the skills needed, so the issue may not be education, but aligning the education with populations that can do the work, etc.
tracking graduates to job placement, direct results
Employer satisfaction with workforce quality and availability
Surveys of business and industry
Feedback from hiring managers and CEOs
Expansions initiated by existing local companies/employers

Figure 4-15: Average rank of answers to Question #4 response trend (Click image for a larger view.)

Figure 4-16: Top five answers with selection breakdown

Question #5. How should this effort be funded?

The respondents selected Industry Investments as the best solution for funding with an average rank of 1.8. Taxes ranked number two. Grants, Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, Tax Credits, and Scholarships received rankings ranging from 5.1 to 5.7. Percentage of HREGI (Chamber Investment Fund), Lottery/Casinos, and State Education Fund received rankings ranging from 6.4 to 6.7. The feedback section, Figure 4-18, contains unique options for funding. Seventeen respondents failed for answer Question 5.

Figure 4-17: Average rank of answers to Question #5

Question #5: How should this effort be funded? Rank Average
Industry Investments 1.8
Taxes 4.3
Grants 5.1
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 5.4
Tax Credits 5.5
Scholarships 5.7
Percentage of HREGI (Chamber Investment Fund) 6.4
Lottery/Casinos 6.5
State Education Fund 6.7
Professional Organization Investment 7.6

Figure 4-18: Feedback – other suggested solutions

Any other suggestions for funding?
Collaboration to identify best (shared) use of resources.
Community involvement: opportunities for community individuals to provide funding. Helps achieve community support.
Foundations - public and private
I have a suspicion that we are leaving federal money on the table because of lack of state managing and prioritizing efforts to get more money from other sources. Seems that we do well in getting federal money for roads, why not education and workforce development? All states seem to have this problem, unless it is an issue of people not wanting to work?
.50 cents per pack tax on cigarettes earmarked for medical training, nursing, MD's, rural health care and a 1 mill ad valorem tax on residential and commercial buildings earmarked for residential and commercial construction

Figure 4-19: Average rank of answers to Question #5 response trend (Click image for a larger view.)

Figure 4-20: Top five answers with selection breakdown