Quality of Life Indicators

workforce development data

graduates staying to work in the region
basic workforce readiness -- updated 7/3/09

graduates staying to work in the region

According to UNR Career Development: UNR’s 2006 graduating students were invited to participate in an online survey regarding their future plans following graduation.  Over 540 students responded.  Most graduating seniors were planning to work here: 77% plan to stay in Nevada; 6% are headed to California; 14% had jobs in other states; and just under 2% will travel abroad for work.

The UNR Career Center reports that internships are the number one way that employers identify new employees. Employers also rate participating in an internship as the top career development tool you can utilize. The university offers credit for internships through its new Career Development Internship Program Course, ACE 400.

basic workforce readiness -- updated 7/3/09

In TMT’s December 2007 community survey, 39.6% of respondents reported having taken a class or participated in a training related to their employment in the past year, while 36.8% reported no training; 53.8% of respondents reported being able to get the technology training that they need to advance vs. only 12.4% reporting they couldn’t get technology training.  This compares to 59% of TMT’s November 2007 business eSurvey respondents reporting that they are able to hire employees who have the technology training and skills they need in this area while 88% of business respondents reported being willing to pay for workforce development training for their employees if it’s needed; 80% of business respondents reported the cost of living as the biggest barrier to hiring a skilled workforce.

In April 2009, Northern Nevada Business Weekly reported on an AARP survey showing that 58% of Washoe County businesses have had problems finding qualified workers over the past 5-years, and 86% will struggle to find talent over the next 5-years.  As our aging population retires, workforce readiness and development will be critical.

Nevadaworks receives federal funding from the US Department of Labor through the Workforce Investment Act.  Local workforce training programs are developed through an RFP process with funding available to public, private, nonprofit organizations, government and education agencies, and partnerships.  NV Energy and Nevadaworks commissioned a Labor Market Assessment of Western Nevada, May 2009 for a 40-mile radius including the cities of Reno, Sparks, Carson City, Minen, Gardnerville, Dayton and Fernley.  The report covers regional employer concerns, educational and training resources, and future demand projections.