Laborshed
Willingness of Those Not Currently Employed
to Accept Employment
The BLS defines unemployed persons as individuals who are currently not employed but that are actively seeking employment. Using only this definition overlooks sources of potential labor, specifically homemakers who are not employed and retirees who, though currently not employed, would consider entering or re-entering the workforce if the right opportunity arose. IWD uses an alternative definition “not employed” for its Laborshed studies which includes the unemployed, homemakers/not employed, and retirees as subsets of the category. The survey asks the respondents to identify whether they are unemployed, a homemaker/not employed or retired. It is useful to look at the specific characteristics of each of these subsets of “not employed” persons.
The inclusion of these subset groups into the analysis provides a more accurate assessment of the potential labor force in the Laborshed area. Of the respondents surveyed, 11.9 percent reported that they are “not employed”. By questioning these respondents about their willingness to re-enter or accept a job offer, the survey identified 37.5 percent who stated they are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to accept employment. Aggregated totals for the “not employed” may be achieved by combining the data from any or all of Tables 23, 24, and 25.
Each of the “not employed” subsets has their own unique characteristics that define their contribution to the Laborshed area. Recognizing and understanding these factors will aid in efforts to target and tap into this often unrecognized and underutilized labor resource. The following sections provide a profile of the unemployed, not employed homemakers, and retired respondents.
Unemployed
Of those who responded to being unemployed, 72.2 percent are “very likely” or “somewhat likely” to accept employment if the right opportunity arose. Table 23 shows that the unemployed reside across all three zones of the Laborshed area. Respondents willing to accept employment by zone are calculated using a logistic regression model weighted by multiple variables such as education level, gender, age, miles willing to travel, and wages. This model provides an estimate for the total number of individuals “willing to change” by zone. The totals are based on the Total Adjusted Labor Force estimates found in Table 1 (approximately 1,052 unemployed persons).
Table 23.
Unemployed - Willing to Accept Employment
The current methods to determine the unemployment rate exclude those who have been unemployed longer than six months, those who did not register with the unemployment office and students who are seeking employment. The Laborshed unemployed percent includes anyone who stated they were unemployed then incorporates all counties within the Laborshed area, where as the unemployment rate only takes into consideration individual counties.
demographics of the Unemployed
The average age of this group is 46 years old. The unemployed respondents are distributed amongst four of the age range groups, 25 to 34 (15.4%), 35 to 44 (23.1%), 45 to 54 (38.5%), and 55 to 64 (23.1%). The gender breakdown of those unemployed is 53.8 percent male and 46.2 percent female.
Education & Training
Over half (53.8%) of the unemployed respondents in the Maquoketa Laborshed area have some post high school education, 15.4 percent have an associate degree, 7.7 percent have completed vocational training, and 23.1 percent have obtained an undergraduate degree.
Nearly half (46.2%) of those who are unemployed and willing to re-enter the workforce feel they need additional training/education in order to make a successful transition back into the workforce. They would like to attend computer training (57.1%) or start/finish a college degree (42.9%). Financial reasons, transportation issues, disability issues, and lack of time, are the main obstacles preventing them from pursuing additional education/training.
Work Experience & Environment
Over two-thirds (69.2%) of the respondents became unemployed within the last year with the majority (69.2%) of those having held full-time positions, while 23.1 percent held part-time positions in their previous employment, and 7.7 percent were self-employed. These individuals have diverse work experiences; the majority held positions in clerical, professional, paraprofessional, technical, production, construction, or material handling occupations.
A variety of explanations were given as to why the respondents are unemployed at this time. The most frequently mentioned responses include employer layoff/closing (33.3%), respondent wanted to continue/further their education (25.0%), health reasons (16.7%), disability (16.7%), personality conflicts with previous employer/co-workers (8.3%), or lack of employment opportunities (8.3%). Over half (53.8%) of those who are unemployed are seeking/have sought services to gain employment. All (100%) of them are utilizing the local Iowa Workforce Development Centers to assist in seeking qualified offers and plan to seek jobs in sales or clerical occupations.
The unemployed respondents can accommodate a variety of work environments. Over three-fourths (76.9%) of the respondents would prefer employment opportunities that provide job team work environments, 53.8 percent of the respondents expressed an interest in cross-training, and 38.5 percent would be interested in job sharing positions - two people sharing one full-time position. Nearly two-fifths (38.5%) of the unemployed expressed an interest in working a variety of work schedules (combinations of 2 nd, 3 rd or split shifts). Seasonal employment opportunities would interest 38.5 percent of those who are unemployed, while temporary employment would be a consideration for 46.2 percent of the unemployed looking to re-enter the workforce.
Nearly one-third (30.8%) of those who are unemployed, willing to re-enter, would consider starting their own business. The businesses they are primarily interested in starting include construction/handyman (14.3%), consulting (14.3%), and farming (14.3%). Access to capital/
start up funds is the primary obstacle preventing them from pursuing their entrepreneurial venture. Keep in mind that not all of those who stated they had an interest will actually pursue an entrepreneurial venture. What this does show is a certain level of entrepreneurial ambition is present in the area that can be captured in the workplace environment.
Wages & Benefits
Wage levels, hours available, and employee benefits are important factors for unemployed individuals. The estimated wage threshold for the unemployed willing to re-enter employment is $10.00 to $12.50 per hour. This threshold should serve as a base recommendation for obtaining the most qualified applicants for hiring. The median of the lowest hourly wage that unemployed respondents are willing to accept is $10.00 per hour. At their prior employment, the unemployed received a median hourly wage of $11.13 per hour.
In addition to salary/wages and hours, some of the unemployed would be influenced by the following benefits when considering an employment offer: health/medical insurance (66.7%), pension/retirement options (33.3%), paid vacation (33.3%), dental coverage (33.3%), paid holidays (33.3%), tuition assistance/reimbursement (22.2%), vision coverage (22.2%), paid sick leave (22.2%), and prescription drug coverage (11.1%). In some situations, benefits offered will play a deciding factor in whether the unemployed accept a position. One such example would be companies that offer cost sharing of medical insurance benefits. Those seeking to return to the workforce would prefer employment offers that include medical insurance where the employer/employee cost share the premiums (83.3%).
Job Search Techniques
When looking for employment opportunities, unemployed persons generally rely on common and easily accessible sources of information; however, non-traditional methods are also being utilized in order to locate the “right opportunity”. The most frequently identified job search mediums are local newspapers (58.3%); the Internet (50.0%); local Iowa Workforce Development Centers (41.7%); regional newspapers (41.7%); networking through family, friends, and acquaintances (16.7%); private employment services (16.7%); and walk-in (door-to-door) solicitation (8.3%).
To provide businesses and community leaders with a more in-depth focus on advertising sources currently being used by the unemployed willing to re-enter the workforce, Dubuque Telegraph Herald and Quad-City Times, are the primary print sources while www.monster.com, www.iowaworkforce.org, and www.careerbuilder.com are the primary internet sources viewed by those seeking employment in the Maquoketa Laborshed area.
Commuting
The average number of miles that unemployed respondents are willing to travel one way to work is 32 miles. Zone 1 respondents are willing to commute an average of 48 miles one way to work, Zone 2 respondents are willing to commute an average of 34 miles one way to work, and Zone 3 respondents are willing to commute an average of 12 miles one way to work. Since some Zone 1 unemployed residents are willing to commute great distances, once employed, they could become part of the out commuting of the nodal community. The unemployed in the Laborshed area are an excellent pool of available labor that is interested in returning to work that offer a variety of past work experiences to apply to new employment opportunities.
Homemakers
Of those who responded as not employed homemakers, 27.3 percent are “very or somewhat likely” to accept employment if the right opportunity is presented. Table 24 shows that the Maquoketa Laborshed area is estimated to contain 1,171 homemakers who are willing to work if presented with the right opportunity. This group may represent a quality source of potential available labor in the Laborshed area for certain industries/businesses looking to fill non-traditional work arrangements.
Table 24.
Homemakers - Willing to Accept Employment
Respondents willing to accept employment by zone are calculated using a regression model weighted by multiple variables such as education level, gender, age, miles willing to travel, and wages. This model provides an estimate for the total number of individuals “willing to change” by zone. The totals are based on the Total Adjusted Labor Force estimates found in Table 1.
For more information regarding homemakers, please contact The Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce .
Retired Persons
Retired individuals (18-64 years of age) represent an underutilized and knowledgeable pool of workers in some Laborshed areas. In the Maquoketa Laborshed area, 10.5 percent of those who are retired are willing to re-enter the workforce at some capacity. Table 25 illustrates that those who are retired and willing to re-enter the workforce reside throughout the survey zones (approximately 934).
Table 25.
Retired (18 to 64) - Willing to Accept Employment
Respondents willing to accept employment by zone are calculated using a regression model weighted by multiple variables such as education level, gender, age, miles willing to travel, and wages. This model provides an estimate for the total number of individuals “willing to change” by zone. The totals are based on the Total Adjusted Labor Force estimates found in Table 1.
For more information regarding retirees , please contact The Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce.
Laborshed Analysis | Estimating the Total Labor Force Potential | Primary Industries of the Laborshed | Workforce Statistics | Analysis of Those Employed Willing to Change Employment | Willingness of Those Not Currently Employed to Accept Employment | Laborshed Maps and Exhibits | Labor Market Information (Employer-Based) Web Resources | References | Index of Charts and Tables