Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Workforce Estimating Conference Potential Not Realized; Barriers Can Be Addressed

Report 06-28, March 2006




Report Summary

  • The Workforce Estimating Conference has the potential to use the employment demand forecast made by the Agency for Workforce Innovation to identify training program needs at all levels, but this potential has not been realized. The conference narrows AWI's forecasts to a statewide demand occupations list that only includes jobs that require two years or less of postsecondary training. The accuracy of the statewide demand occupations list could be improved by examining how occupational demands are met. The list also could be expanded to include jobs requiring baccalaureate or advanced degrees.
  • Two barriers exist to using the list to direct funding for baccalaureate and advanced degree programs. First, there is a relatively lengthy time lag between estimating demand and producing graduates, which increases the likelihood that the projections will be inaccurate. Second, many baccalaureate degrees lead to multiple occupations, which makes it difficult to accurately forecast demand for these graduates. The Workforce Estimating Conference could address these barriers by setting high demand thresholds before placing occupations requiring baccalaureate or advanced degrees on the statewide demand occupations list and by listing occupations that can be filled with graduates of more than one baccalaureate degree program as one occupation.


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Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
education, school districts, employment projections, estimating conference, skill sets, training programs, workforce, labor pool, job vacancy, employer survey, unemployment insurance, economic development, degree production, wage rates, job openings, job growth, high skill, high wage, high demand, targeted occupation, incentive funding, career counseling, staffing patterns, best financial management practice, performance reviews, schools, school districts, academic freedom, student grievances, faculty grievances, community colleges, college, university, school, grades