LOCAL LABOR MARKET RESEARCH
WHEREAS, a key task of any locally-based,
demand driven workforce system is to understand the fundamental industrial and
occupational structure of local labor markets and local/regional labor market
trends, identify those industry/occupational segments that are leading the
growth, identify key skill/training issues, assess the adequacy of labor supply
to those segments and devise strategies to effectively respond to the skills
needs of employment sectors in local and metropolitan labor markets; and
WHEREAS, there are sharp differences in
demographic developments, local economic performance, and the magnitude and
nature of labor market problems confronting each of the sub-markets of the
economy; and
WHEREAS, locally-based labor market
research data for use by local elected officials and their Workforce Investment
Boards (WIBs) and other public and private stakeholders to address the needs
that are unique to their markets and to make sound decisions regarding their
workforce is not available in a timely and useful manner; and
WHEREAS, not only is accurate, timely,
and useful labor market data essential at the local level, it is critical for
making funding and other determinations under the Workforce Investment Act
(WIA), which authorizes the locally-based workforce system, and other federal programs; and
WHEREAS, the national data on
unemployment does not truly reflect the unemployment picture in local areas and
at the national level; and
WHEREAS, there is concern that the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL) is still using old data to make funding and other
determinations rather than the most up to date data, including the 2000 census
data; and
WHEREAS, as the nation continues to face
high levels of unemployment, particularly in cities and among youth, the
resources and support provided to the locally-based workforce system will
impact our national economy and global competitiveness in an unprecedented way;
and
WHEREAS, further, as the economy moves
into recovery, the underlying skills shortage for high-growth jobs will impede
economic growth unless addressed,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of
Mayors calls on Congress and the Administration to provide resources and
support for locally-based labor market research data and make investments in
better data collection; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the U.S. Conference of
Mayors calls on the U.S. Department of Labor to use the most recent data
available, including data collected as the result of the 2000 census or newer
data, in the determination of state and local funding decisions, and such other
activities and functions that require the use of data for carrying out the
requirements of WIA.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 