Workforce study highlights region's positives and negatives

Local News

Discussion

PLEASE NOTE: There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

ALSO NOTE: Derisive name-calling of an individual or group will result in the entire comment being deleted. This includes the terms "stupid" and "idiot" and similar references.

Welcome to our new online comments feature. Before you can join the discussion, you must first register with Disqus and verify your email address.

Once you do, your comments will post after they have been reviewed by a moderator.

We welcome your thoughts and your opinions, including unpopular ones. We ask only that you keep the conversation civil and clean.

Not all comments are deemed printable. Some are disqualified, at the newspaper’s discretion, for a number of reasons. Here are some typical practices to avoid in trying to get your comment printed:

There is a 150 word maximum for comments. All comments greater than 150 words in length will be deleted in their entirety.

Don’t state as a fact something that is unsubstantiated or that our editors wouldn't know to be true.

Don’t presume someone’s guilt in a case when it hasn't been established by a court.

Don’t assail or impugn an identifiable individual or group. If you have that kind of criticism, sign your name and submit it as a Letter to the Editor. (There is some leeway on this in connection with public officials, but it is not unconditional.)

Don’t use profanity. This includes the term “tea bagger.”

Don’t be incendiary or tasteless. Those qualities are subjective, of course, and our editors will be the arbiters.

Do not identify yourself in the main content area of the article content form. Only by enforcing this rule can the moderators prevent unscrupulous commenters from falsely identifying themselves as someone they are not.

Don't type in all caps. It is considered the Internet equivalent of shouting.

In sports articles, do not criticize officiating.

Remember, moderators are not allowed to edit any article comments. If an article comment fails any of the above criteria, the entire comment will be deleted.

We monitor comments Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Approval of comments outside these times may be delayed.

comments powered by Disqus

October 15, 2008

Local professionals like their jobs, home, survey says

By DAN HEATH The Press Republican Wed Oct 15, 2008, 12:00 AM EDT

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