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October 15, 2008

Workforce study highlights region's positives and negatives

Local professionals like their jobs, home, survey says

By DAN HEATH

PLATTSBURGH -- A survey of area young professionals showed three-quarters are satisfied with their jobs and more than half plan to stay in the area.

The study was conducted by the Technical Assistance Center at Plattsburgh State for the North Country Workforce Investment Board.

It focused on professionals between 20 and 44 years of age who reside in Clinton, Essex and Franklin counties.

"There were some very positive results we found from the study," said Keri Mack, North Country Workforce Investment Board director of business services.

Seventy-five percent of about 195 respondents said they were satisfied or very satisfied with their job, she said.

Additionally, 54 percent said they plan to stay in the area permanently or for at least nine years.

TRACKING TRENDS

Victoria Zinser Duley, an economic-development specialist with the Technical Assistance Center, said the study involved a three-part process.

First, staff gathered national, state and county demographic and workforce data to find trends of interest.

She was surprised to find that 56 percent of the respondents were born outside the region. That includes 30 percent born outside New York state, which shows the region has been able to draw and retain young professionals, Duley said.

SURVEYS SENT

Then, 390 young professionals were sent surveys. It brought a 51-percent response rate, which Duley said is remarkable and shows the interest level of local young professionals.

Mack said respondents indicated pay rates, educational opportunities and availability of jobs as top priorities for their economic and professional development.

They saw local education opportunities, professional development and networking opportunities as positive.

On the negative side, respondents had the least favorable impression of pay scale and number of jobs available, which were two of their three top priorities, Mack said.

Regarding lifestyle, respondents said opportunities for recreation and community involvement, as well as community identity and image, are well provided.

But nearly 75 percent rated social gathering spots and arts and cultural opportunities as fair or poor, Mack said.

Duly said the survey should be a call to action for the region's community leaders.

"You need to improve this if you want to attract young professionals to this area."

FOCUS GROUPS

Finally, the center hosted two focus groups, one in Plattsburgh to get feedback from young professionals who live in Clinton County and a second in Saranac Lake for those in Essex and Franklin counties.

Duley said substantial differences were seen in the concerns identified by the two focus groups. A strong majority of the Clinton County group plans to stay in the region, while most of those in Essex and Franklin counties said they plan to leave soon or in the mid-term future.

USING THE RESULTS

Mack said the next step is to work with the Adirondack Young Professionals group to bring the survey results to community, business and government leaders.

The need for workers will grow as the Baby Boomer generation retires, she noted.

"It's important for employers to know what will help attract and retain young professionals."

dheath@pressrepublican.com

CHECK THE STUDY
For a copy of the survey of young professionals, contact Keri Mack by phone at 561-4295, Ext. 3073, or by e-mail at keri@ncworkforce.com.

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