Nothing's worse in a bad job market than an unfilled job, for both employers and job seekers.
In Erie, steps are being taken to avoid that double-negative result. Project Jobs, an initiative of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership, is using a web-based platform to perform a comprehensive census of employers in the region to create a clearer picture of where job openings exist and will be.
The Erie Business Action Team, housed at the ERCGP has been conducting outreach over the last several years and and is now aiming to capture each employer's employment needs in the immediate, mid-term and long-term. Volume of jobs will then be identified via O*NET Codes (Occupational Information Network). Data showing skill sets, formal education needed, and wage rates for the top 25 occupations identified in the survey will be shared with partners like the Regional Center for Workforce Excellence, the NWPA Workforce Investment Board and PA CareerLink-Erie County in an effort to inform training providers of employer demand and assist job seekers.
There is hope that data will be collected annually and that this model can be replicated in at least eight counties in northwest PA. Here's ERCGP's Workforce Development Coordinator Doug Massey making a pitch for area businesses to participate, including a chance to win a Kindle.