Located in:
- II. Strategic Elements
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include a Strategic Planning Elements section that analyzes the State’s current economic environment and identifies the State’s overall vision for its workforce development system. The required elements in this section allow the State to develop data-driven goals for preparing an educated and skilled workforce and to identify successful strategies for aligning workforce development programs. Unless otherwise noted, all Strategic Planning Elements apply to Combined State Plan partner programs included in the plan as well as to core programs.
- a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the economic conditions, economic development strategies, and labor market in which the State’s workforce system and programs will operate.
- a. Economic, Workforce, and Workforce Development Activities Analysis
II. a. 1. B. Workforce Analysis (B.I - B.IV)
The Unified or Combined State Plan must include an analysis of the current workforce, including individuals with barriers to employment, as defined in section 3 of WIOA.* This population must include individuals with disabilities among other groups** in the State and across regions identified by the State. This includes: Individuals with barriers to employment include displaced homemakers; low-income individuals; Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians; individuals with disabilities, including youth who are individuals with disabilities; older individuals; ex-offenders; homeless individuals, or homeless children and youths; youth who are in or have aged out of the foster care system; individuals who are English language learners, individuals who have low levels of literacy, and individuals facing substantial cultural barriers; farmworkers (as defined at section 167(i) of WIOA and Training and Employment Guidance Letter No. 35-14); individuals within 2 years of exhausting lifetime eligibility under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program; single parents (including single pregnant women); and long-term unemployed individuals. ** Veterans, unemployed workers, and youth, and others that the State may identify.
i. Employment and Unemployment
Provide an analysis of current employment and unemployment data, including labor force participation rates, and trends in the State.
ii. Labor Market Trends
Provide an analysis of key labor market trends, including across existing industries and occupations.iii. Education and Skill Levels of the Workforce
Provide an analysis of the educational and skill levels of the workforce.
iv. Skill Gaps
Describe apparent ‘skill gaps’.
Current Narrative:
Figure 2.22
Occupations Gaining the Most New Jobs in Florida
| Rank | Code | Occupation | 2015Employment | 2023Employment | 2015-23 Level Change | 2015-23 Percent Growth | Total Job Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 412031 | Retail Salespersons | 344,846 | 391,259 | 49,413 | 13.5 | 142,563 |
| 2 | 353021 | Combined Food Prep and Serving Workers Incl. Fast Food | 231,200 | 271,131 | 39,931 | 17.2 | 115,048 |
| 3 | 434051 | Customer Service Representatives | 219,039 | 249,981 | 30,942 | 14.1 | 78,200 |
| 4 | 436014 | Secretaries, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 185,531 | 215,051 | 29,520 | 15.9 | 47,332 |
| 5 | 291141 | Registered Nurses | 168,885 | 196,503 | 27,618 | 16.4 | 52,995 |
| 6 | 353031 | Waiters and Waitresses | 210,126 | 231,053 | 20,927 | 10.0 | 103,363 |
| 7 | 311014 | Nursing Assistants | 89,500 | 108,035 | 18,535 | 20.7 | 31,882 |
| 8 | 372011 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping | 124,617 | 142,478 | 17,861 | 14.3 | 36,142 |
| 9 | 352014 | Cooks, Restaurant | 95,857 | 112,564 | 16,707 | 17.4 | 31,876 |
| 10 | 472061 | Construction Laborers | 63,651 | 79,706 | 16,055 | 25.2 | 26,904 |
| 11 | 537062 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 135,018 | 150,708 | 15,690 | 11.6 | 49,379 |
| 12 | 472031 | Carpenters | 59,653 | 74,802 | 15,149 | 25.4 | 21,052 |
| 13 | 373011 | Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 100,774 | 115,176 | 14,402 | 14.3 | 34,732 |
| 14 | 439061 | Office Clerks, General | 154,202 | 167,735 | 13,533 | 8.8 | 39,313 |
| 15 | 252021 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 69,726 | 83,235 | 13,509 | 19.4 | 25,717 |
| 16 | 433031 | Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 105,444 | 118,830 | 13,386 | 12.7 | 21,127 |
| 17 | 434171 | Receptionists and Information Clerks | 82,178 | 94,539 | 12,361 | 15.0 | 30,275 |
| 18 | 339032 | Security Guards | 82,945 | 95,060 | 12,115 | 14.6 | 22,081 |
| 19 | 412011 | Cashiers | 223,396 | 235,165 | 11,769 | 5.3 | 93,726 |
| 20 | 372012 | Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 90,185 | 101,843 | 11,658 | 12.9 | 25,655 |
Source: Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Bureau of Labor Market Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics, October 2015
Occupational employment projections tables for all Florida geographic areas can be found on the Labor Market Statistics Website at http://floridajobs.org/labor-market-information. Tables for occupations adding the most new jobs, occupations with the fastest growth rates and declining occupations are available.
Florida Industries
Mining, Logging, and Construction
Florida experienced large declines in construction employment from 2006 to 2011 due to the bursting of the housing bubble. Construction employment peaked in June 2006 at 691,900 jobs and is currently at 429,500 jobs (a decrease of 262,400 jobs). At the trough of the recession, construction employment was at 329,800. About 99,700 jobs in the industry have been recovered.
Florida does not have seasonally adjusted data for employment in mining and logging. However, there is data for construction. In September 2015, the employment was 429,500. The over the year change in
September 2015 (+26,700 jobs, +6.6 percent) was 3,700 less when compared to September 2014 (+30,400 jobs, +8.2 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past four years.
Manufacturing
Manufacturing in Florida is heavily dependent on construction and several subsectors of the industry lost jobs due to the decline in housing activity. From 2003 to 2006, manufacturing employment began to ramp up until the housing bubble began to burst. During the recession, there was a rapid decrease in manufacturing employment until 2010. About 28,300 jobs in the industry have been recovered.
In September 2015, the employment was 336,300. The over the year change in September 2015 (+3,500 jobs, +1.1 percent) was 4,900 less when compared to September 2014 (+8,400, +2.6 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past five years.
Trade,Transportation, and Utilities
This industry is heavily dependent on tourism and the general economic vitality of the state’s economy. The industry peaked in May 2007 at 1,647,600 jobs and began a rapid decline until 2010. Currently, industry employment is 30,400 jobs above its 2007 peak.
In September 2015, the employment was 1,678,000. The over the year change in September 2015 (+44,500 jobs, +2.7 percent) was 9,100 less when compared to September 2014 (+53,600, +3.4 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past six years.
Information
Florida experienced large declines in information employment from 2001 to 2004 due to the bursting of the tech bubble and from 2007 to 2009 due to the bursting of the housing bubble. Industry employment has remained steady since the trough of the Great Recession and is currently at 1994 levels.
In September 2015, the employment was 134,400. The over the year change in September 2015 (-1,900 jobs, -1.4 percent) was 3,500 less when compared to September 2014 (+1,600, +1.2 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has remained fairly constant over the past five years.
Financial Activities
Financial activities employment in Florida peaked at 558,000 jobs in 2007 and experienced a rapid decline until reaching 476,000 employed in April 2010. About 63,800 jobs in the industry have been recovered.
In September 2015, the employment was 539,800. The over the year change in September 2015 (+15,000 jobs, +2.9 percent) was 5,500 more when compared to September 2014 (+9,500, +1.8 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past five years.
Professional and Business Services
Employment in Florida’s professional and business services industry experienced a rapid decline during the Great Recession, bottoming out at 983,600 jobs. Currently, industry employment is above its previous peak.
In September 2015, the employment was 1,206,700. The over the year change in September 2015 (+26,300 jobs, +2.2 percent) was 26,700 less when compared to September 2014 (+53,000, +4.7 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past five years.
Education and Health Services
Florida did not experience a decline in education and health services employment during the recent recession. However, the rate of job growth did slow down during the recession.
In September 2015, the employment was 1,218,100. The over the year change in September 2015 (+50,200 jobs, +4.3 percent) was 12,800 more when compared to September 2014 (+37,400, +3.3 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward for over two decades.
Leisure and Hospitality
Leisure and hospitality employment in Florida experienced a large decrease during the Great Recession, reaching 913,800 employed. Currently, industry employment is above its previous peak.
In September 2015, the employment was 1,153,800. The over the year change in September 2015 (+58,100 jobs, +5.3 percent) was 10,200 more when compared to September 2014 (+47,900, +4.6 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past six years.
Other Services
Other services is a sector that comprises establishments engaged in providing services not specifically provided for elsewhere in the industry classification system. Examples range from automotive repair and maintenance to environment, conservation, and wildlife organizations. Other services employment in Florida experienced large declines from 2007 to around 2009. Industry employment is currently above its previous peak.
In September 2015, the employment was 338,800. The over the year change in September 2015 (+12,200 jobs, +3.7 percent) was 2,200 less when compared to September 2014 (+14,400, +4.6 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has been trending upward over the past four years.
Government
Florida experienced declines in government employment from 2008 to 2012. Currently, government employment is back to 2005 levels.
In September 2015, the employment was 1,073,000. The over the year change in September 2015 (+1,300 jobs, +0.1 percent) was 3,700 more when compared to September 2014 (-2,400, -0.2 percent). The number of jobs in this sector has remained fairly constant over the past three years.
(iii) Education and Skill Levels of the Workforce
In 2013, the most common educational attainment level of Florida workforce participants from 25 to 64 years old was some college or Associate degree at 32.6 percent, followed by bachelor’s degree or higher at 30.0 percent, and then high school diploma (including equivalency) at 27.5 percent. Only 9.9 percent of workforce participants had attained less than a high school diploma.
Figure 2.33
Florida Educational Attainment for the Civilian Labor Force, Age 25-64 (2013)
| Less than high school graduate | High school graduate (includes equivalency) | Some college or associate’s degree | Bachelor’s degree orhigher |
|---|---|---|---|
| 747,667 | 2,083,504 | 2,468,215 | 2,269,410 |
| 9.9% | 27.5% | 32.6% | 30.0% |
Analysis of Educational Attainment of Floridians and Ability to Speak English
Adult education programs offer Adult English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) instruction for adults to improve their English speaking and writing skills but also to improve their academic skills so that they can earn a high school credential and enter postsecondary education to improve their career options. Adults enrolling in ESOL programs fall in the age ranges of 16 to 60+. During 2014-2015, some 205,355 adults were enrolled in ABE, ESOL and ASE (adult high school and GED®) courses. Of the total enrollment, 86,000 adults were enrolled in ESOL courses. The chart below provides an analysis of age ranges and ability to speak English. This is a significant number of limited English speaking adults who could benefit from ESOL courses as well as building their basic skills. Many of these individuals are also seeking employment for jobs that may not require an ability to speak English well or at all.
The one-stop career center partners will collaborate to provide services, resources and referrals to limited English speaking jobseekers.
Figure 2.34
Analysis of Age Range and Ability to Speak English
| English Ability | Age range | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks English not well | 16-19 | 14,089 |
| Speaks English not well | 20-29 | 68,114 |
| Speaks English not well | 30-39 | 126,782 |
| Speaks English not well | 40-49 | 158,778 |
| Speaks English not well | 50-59 | 141,201 |
| Speaks English not well | 60-69 | 117,653 |
| Speaks English not well | Total | 626,617 |
| Does not speak English | 16-19 | 3,230 |
| Does not speak English | 20-29 | 34,820 |
| Does not speak English | 30-39 | 65,370 |
| Does not speak English | 40-49 | 73,755 |
| Does not speak English | 50-59 | 70,117 |
| Does not speak English | 60-69 | 68,659 |
| Does not speak English | Total | 315,951 |
| Total for both | Total for both | 942,568 |
Educational Attainment and Ability to Speak English
| English ability | Less than high school credential | Number |
|---|---|---|
| Speaks English not well | Grade 8 or less | 201,489 |
| Speaks English not well | Grades 9 to 12 no degree | 110,624 |
| Does not speak English | Grade 8 or less | 165,729 |
| Does not speak English | Grades 9 to 12 no degree | 63,217 |
| Total | Total | 541,059 |
Source: 2014 Census
For Florida’s population age 25 and over (2,184,335) with disabilities, ACS provides the following educational attainment estimates:Source: 2014 Census
- Less than high school graduate- 23.9%
- High school graduate (includes equivalency)- 34.1%
- Some college or associate’s degree- 26.3%
- Bachelor’s degree or higher- 15.7%
(iv) Skill Gaps
CareerSource Florida (the State Board) and the Department of Economic Opportunity are currently conducting an initial skills gap analysis. For the initial analysis, Broward County, Florida was chosen due to its size, its diverse population, and its combination of rural and urban areas. All pre-planned phases of the employer survey have been completed, including a pre-test designed to evaluate the questionnaire and survey procedures that will identify the skills gaps. The survey began May 11 and was closed July 7. The survey response rate was 56.3 percent of the total eligible sample of 3001.
Industries with the highest response rates included retail trade (69 percent), accommodation and food services (64 percent), healthcare and social assistance (63 percent), and educational services (58 percent). The skills gap portion of the survey will allow a very detailed analysis of gaps in Broward County by industry, occupation, and gap type. Based on responses to date, 8,936 skills gaps were reported. Most gaps were for soft skills (6,817). The industry reporting the most gaps was the tourism based industry of accommodation and food services with 1,259 reported gaps, the majority of these being soft skills (1,050). In the educational services industry, soft skills gaps outweighed hard skills by a factor of 5.26. The most frequently reported gap was communication and interposal skills followed by dependability and attendance. The least frequently reported hard skill was accounting and bookkeeping skills followed by electrical/electronic skills.
The final results of this study are to be available by October 1, 2016.