WhatWhat’’s Needed to Meet s Needed to Meet EmployerEmployer’’s Expectationss Expectations

Glenda OwenGlenda OwenChief, Workforce ServicesChief, Workforce Services

OESCOESC

3 Forces Changing our Nation3 Forces Changing our Nation’’s Futures Future

“America’s Perfect Storm: Three Forces Changing our Nation’s Future” 2007 Irwin Kirsch, ETS

Divergent Skill Distribution

Demographic Shifts

Changing Economy

Literacy SkillsLiteracy Skills#1: Divergent Skill #1: Divergent Skill DistributionDistributionWide Disparity in literacy and numeracy Wide Disparity in literacy and numeracy skills among our schoolskills among our school--age and adult age and adult populations.populations.Graduation rate for disadvantaged minorities Graduation rate for disadvantaged minorities is thought to be closer to 50%.is thought to be closer to 50%.Adult population 16+ years do not Adult population 16+ years do not demonstrate sufficient skills to fully demonstrate sufficient skills to fully participate in an increasingly competitive participate in an increasingly competitive work environment.work environment.Skills are not evenly distributed across Skills are not evenly distributed across groups defined by race/ethnicity, origin of groups defined by race/ethnicity, origin of birth and socioeconomic status.birth and socioeconomic status.

Literacy Skills: HereLiteracy Skills: Here’’s What We s What We KnowKnowHalf of AmericaHalf of America’’s adults lack s adults lack literacy skills needed for the 21literacy skills needed for the 21stst

century.century.Percentage of Adults 16Percentage of Adults 16--65 Years 65 Years Old at:Old at:

Level 1= 20%Level 1= 20%Level 2 = 32%Level 2 = 32%Level 3 = 35%Level 3 = 35%Level 4/5 = 13%Level 4/5 = 13%

Literacy Skills Relationship to Highest Literacy Skills Relationship to Highest Educational AttainmentEducational Attainment

Level 4Level 4 350350●● 336, graduate degree336, graduate degree

Level 3 Level 3 ●● 322, 4322, 4--year degreeyear degree●● 308, 2308, 2--year degreeyear degree

300300●● 294, Some college294, Some college●● 270, H.S. Diploma270, H.S. Diploma●● 268, GED268, GED

Level 2 250Level 2 250●● 231, 9 231, 9 -- 12 grade12 grade

Level 1 200 Level 1 200 ●● 177, 0 177, 0 -- 8 grade8 grade

< Level 1 150< Level 1 150

Seismic Changes in Our Seismic Changes in Our EconomyEconomy

#2 Changing Economy#2 Changing EconomyLabor Markets of today are Labor Markets of today are markedly different from those of markedly different from those of earlier decades.earlier decades.Employment growthEmployment growthEarnings accruing to particular Earnings accruing to particular level of educational attainmentlevel of educational attainment

Demographic ChangesDemographic Changes#3 #3 Demographic TrendsDemographic Trends

U.S. labor force growing slowerU.S. labor force growing slower——none of none of the growth is predicted from nativethe growth is predicted from native--born born workers 25workers 25--54 years of age.54 years of age.Immigrants will account for more than Immigrants will account for more than 50% of the growth.50% of the growth.Hispanic population will increase by 20% Hispanic population will increase by 20% by 2030.by 2030.

57% 1657% 16--64 year olds are foreign64 year olds are foreign--born.born.50%+ lack a high school diploma.50%+ lack a high school diploma.80% of these report they do not speak 80% of these report they do not speak English well or none at all.English well or none at all.

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

Asians Black Hispanic White

Level 1Level 2Level 3Level 4/5

Literacy Skills:Literacy Skills:Percentage of Adults by RacePercentage of Adults by Race

Demographics + Skill DistributionDemographics + Skill DistributionOver the next 25 years or so, as betterOver the next 25 years or so, as better--educated individuals leave the educated individuals leave the workforce they will be replaced by those workforce they will be replaced by those who, on average, have lower levels of who, on average, have lower levels of education and skill.education and skill.Over the same period, 50% of projected Over the same period, 50% of projected job growth will be concentrated in job growth will be concentrated in occupations associated with higher occupations associated with higher education and skill levels.education and skill levels.Result: Millions of students and adults will Result: Millions of students and adults will be less able to qualify for higherbe less able to qualify for higher--paying paying jobs.jobs.

The Facts:The Facts:

Only Only 1 out of 51 out of 5 HR professionals HR professionals say all of their employees have the say all of their employees have the competencies they need.competencies they need.54%54% say some of their workers have say some of their workers have the competencies they need.the competencies they need.8%8% say almost none of their workers say almost none of their workers have the right competencies.have the right competencies.

Source: SHRM 2005 Future of the Labor Force Study

The Facts:The Facts:Top 5 missing competencies:Top 5 missing competencies:

Overall professionalismOverall professionalismWritten communication skillsWritten communication skillsAnalytical skillsAnalytical skillsBusiness knowledgeBusiness knowledgeVerbal communication skillsVerbal communication skills

Source: SHRM 2005 Future of the Labor Force Study

What U.S. Employers Have SaidWhat U.S. Employers Have Said

2007 Report 2007 Report ““Are They Really Ready for Are They Really Ready for

Work?Work?””

U.S. BusinessesU.S. Businesses——cross the cross the country and industry sectorscountry and industry sectors——spoke about workforce spoke about workforce readiness of new entrants in readiness of new entrants in todaytoday’’s workplace.s workplace.

““Most ImportantMost Important”” Skills Needed to Skills Needed to Succeed in the WorkplaceSucceed in the Workplace

Professionalism & Work EthicsProfessionalism & Work EthicsOral and Written CommunicationOral and Written CommunicationTeamwork and CollaborationTeamwork and CollaborationCritical Thinking and ProblemCritical Thinking and Problem--solvingsolvingThree RThree R’’ss

Reading (in English) Reading (in English) Writing & Writing & Arithmetic Arithmetic

High School GraduatesHigh School GraduatesTop 5 Basic Skills NeededTop 5 Basic Skills Needed

Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension 62.5%62.5%English LanguageEnglish Language 61.8%61.8%Writing in EnglishWriting in English 49.4%49.4%MathematicsMathematics 30.4%30.4%Foreign LanguageForeign Language 11.0%11.0%

TwoTwo--year College Graduatesyear College GraduatesTop 5 Basic Skills NeededTop 5 Basic Skills Needed

Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension 71.6%71.6%English LanguageEnglish Language 70.6%70.6%Writing in EnglishWriting in English 64.9%64.9%MathematicsMathematics 44.0%44.0%ScienceScience 21.2%21.2%

FourFour--Year GraduateYear GraduateTop 5 Basic Skills NeededTop 5 Basic Skills Needed

Writing in EnglishWriting in English 89.7%89.7%English LanguageEnglish Language 88.0%88.0%Reading ComprehensionReading Comprehension 87.0%87.0%MathematicsMathematics 64.2%64.2%ScienceScience 33.4%33.4%

Importance of SkillsImportance of Skills

For High School students, 4 of the For High School students, 4 of the top 5 top 5 ““very importantvery important”” skills are skills are applied skills:applied skills:

1: Professionalism/Work Ethics 1: Professionalism/Work Ethics (80.3)(80.3)

2: Teamwork/Collaboration (74.7)2: Teamwork/Collaboration (74.7)3: Oral Communications (70.3) 3: Oral Communications (70.3) 4: Ethics/Social Responsibility (63.4)4: Ethics/Social Responsibility (63.4)5: Reading Comprehension (62.5)5: Reading Comprehension (62.5)

Importance of SkillsImportance of Skills

22--year college/technical school year college/technical school diploma, 4 of the top 5 diploma, 4 of the top 5 ““very importantvery important””skills are skills are applied skillsapplied skills::

1: Professionalism/Work Ethics (83.4)1: Professionalism/Work Ethics (83.4)2: Teamwork/Collaboration (82.7)2: Teamwork/Collaboration (82.7)3: Oral Communications (82.0)3: Oral Communications (82.0)4: Critical Thinking/4: Critical Thinking/

ProblemProblem--solving (72.7)solving (72.7)5: Reading Comprehension (71.6)5: Reading Comprehension (71.6)

Importance of SkillsImportance of Skills

44--year college diploma, 4 of the top year college diploma, 4 of the top 5 5 ““very importantvery important”” skills are skills are applied applied skillsskills::

1: Oral Communications (95.4) 1: Oral Communications (95.4) 2: Teamwork/Collaboration (94.4)2: Teamwork/Collaboration (94.4)3: Professionalism/Work Ethics 3: Professionalism/Work Ethics

(93.8) (93.8) 4: Written Communication (93.1)4: Written Communication (93.1)5: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving 5: Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

(92.1)(92.1)

Improvements NeededImprovements NeededHigh School GraduatesHigh School Graduates

DeficientDeficient in the basic knowledge and in the basic knowledge and skills:skills:

Writing in English, MathematicsWriting in English, Mathematics, & , & Reading Reading ComprehensionComprehension

DeficientDeficient in in Written CommunicationsWritten Communicationsand and Critical Thinking/Problem SolvingCritical Thinking/Problem SolvingDeficientDeficient in in Professionalism/Work Professionalism/Work EthicsEthicsAdequateAdequate in in I.T. Application, Diversity, I.T. Application, Diversity, & Teamwork/Collaboration& Teamwork/Collaboration

Student Math & Reading Student Math & Reading Achievement at end of HSAchievement at end of HS

By age 17:By age 17:

1 in 17 students can comfortably do 1 in 17 students can comfortably do multimulti--step problemstep problem--solving and solving and elementary algebra.elementary algebra.

1 in 17 students can read and gain 1 in 17 students can read and gain information from specialized textinformation from specialized text——something like the science section in something like the science section in your local newspaper.your local newspaper.

NAEP Trend AssessmentsNAEP Trend Assessments

Skills Increasing in ImportanceSkills Increasing in ImportanceOver Next 5 YearsOver Next 5 Years

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving Critical Thinking/Problem Solving 77.8%77.8%

I.T. ApplicationI.T. Application 77.4%77.4%Teamwork/CollaborationTeamwork/Collaboration 74.2%74.2%Creativity/InnovationCreativity/Innovation 73.6%73.6%DiversityDiversity 67.1%67.1%LeadershipLeadership 66.9%66.9%

Oral CommunicationsOral Communications65.9%65.9%

Professionalism/Work EthicsProfessionalism/Work Ethics64.4%64.4%

Ethics/Social ResponsibilityEthics/Social Responsibility64.3%64.3%

Written CommunicationWritten Communication64.0%64.0%

What HR Professionals SayWhat HR Professionals Say

Workplace Trends:Workplace Trends:1.1. Employees must have Employees must have

computer literacy.computer literacy.2.2. Greater Demand for HighGreater Demand for High--

Skilled Workers than for Skilled Workers than for LowLow--Skilled WorkersSkilled Workers

Source: SHRMSource: SHRM

What HR Professionals SayWhat HR Professionals Say

PeoplePeople--related Issues:related Issues:•• Retaining TalentRetaining Talent•• Attracting Talent with Critical Attracting Talent with Critical

SkillsSkills•• Improving Workplace Improving Workplace

PerformancePerformance•• Building New Workforce Skills Building New Workforce Skills

for the Next Round of Growthfor the Next Round of Growth

Source: Towers PerrinSource: Towers Perrin

Trends in TechnologyTrends in Technology

Internet RecruitmentInternet RecruitmentPossess skills for completing onPossess skills for completing on--line applications.line applications.

Most ATS (Applicant Tracking Most ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) time out within 15 minutes Systems) time out within 15 minutes of startingof starting——job seekers have a clock job seekers have a clock ticking for completing the application!ticking for completing the application!

Equipped for the FutureEquipped for the FutureWorker Road MapWorker Road Map

Adapt to Change & Contribute to Adapt to Change & Contribute to the change.the change.

Do the WorkDo the WorkWork with OthersWork with OthersWork within the Big PictureWork within the Big PicturePlan & Direct Personal & Plan & Direct Personal & Professional GrowthProfessional Growth

US CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Do the WorkDo the Work““Workers use personal and Workers use personal and organizational resources to perform organizational resources to perform their work and adapt to changing their work and adapt to changing work demandswork demands””Organize, plan & prioritize work.Organize, plan & prioritize work.Use technology, resources and work Use technology, resources and work tools to put ideas and work directions tools to put ideas and work directions into action.into action.Respond to and meet new work Respond to and meet new work challenges.challenges.Take responsibility for assuring work Take responsibility for assuring work quality and results.quality and results.

Work with OthersWork with Others

““Workers interact oneWorkers interact one--onon--one and one and participates as members of a team to participates as members of a team to produce results.produce results.””Communicate with others inside and Communicate with others inside and outside of the organization.outside of the organization.Give assistance, motivation and Give assistance, motivation and direction.direction.Seek & receive assistance, support, Seek & receive assistance, support, motivation and direction.motivation and direction.Value people different from yourself.Value people different from yourself.

Work Within the Big PictureWork Within the Big Picture““Workers recognize that formal and Workers recognize that formal and informal expectations shape options informal expectations shape options in their work lives and often influence in their work lives and often influence their level of success.their level of success.””Work within Organizational Norms.Work within Organizational Norms.Respect organizational goals, Respect organizational goals, performance, and structure to guide performance, and structure to guide work activities.work activities.Balance individuals roles and needs Balance individuals roles and needs with those of the organization.with those of the organization.Guide individual and organizational Guide individual and organizational priorities based on industry trends, priorities based on industry trends, labor laws, and competitive practiceslabor laws, and competitive practices

Plan & Manage Personal and Plan & Manage Personal and Professional GrowthProfessional Growth

““Workers prepare themselves for the Workers prepare themselves for the changing demands of the economy changing demands of the economy through personal renewal and through personal renewal and growth.growth.””Balance work, career and personal Balance work, career and personal needs.needs.Pursue work activities that provide Pursue work activities that provide personal satisfaction and meaning.personal satisfaction and meaning.Plan, review, and pursue personal Plan, review, and pursue personal and career goals.and career goals.Learn new skills. Learn new skills.

What Workforce Development What Workforce Development Professionals Must DoProfessionals Must DoKey Train Basic and Key Train Key Train Basic and Key Train Career Skills address 15 of the Career Skills address 15 of the workplace skills addressed by U.S. workplace skills addressed by U.S. businesses. businesses.

PromotingPromoting, , encouragingencouraging and and administeringadministering this curriculum this curriculum demonstrates to U.S. businesses demonstrates to U.S. businesses that new entrants have the that new entrants have the necessary skills to succeed in the necessary skills to succeed in the workplace.workplace.

Using Using KeyTrainKeyTrain to Measureto MeasureSkill AssessmentSkill Assessment

Basic Workplace SkillsBasic Workplace Skills

English LanguageEnglish Language

Reading Reading ComprehensionComprehension

Writing in EnglishWriting in English

MathematicsMathematics

Key TrainKey Train

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Reading & Locating Reading & Locating InformationInformationWriting & Business Writing & Business WritingWritingCommunication SkillsCommunication SkillsApplied MathApplied Math

Using Using KeyTrainKeyTrain to Measureto MeasureSkill AssessmentSkill Assessment

Applied SkillsApplied Skills

Critical Thinking & Critical Thinking & Problem SolvingProblem Solving

Oral CommunicationOral Communication

Written Written CommunicationCommunication

Teamwork & CollaborationTeamwork & Collaboration

Key TrainKey Train

Workplace EffectivenessWorkplace Effectiveness

Communication SkillsCommunication SkillsWriting & Business WritingWriting & Business Writing

Teamwork & Work HabitsTeamwork & Work HabitsCommunication SkillsCommunication SkillsWorkplace EffectivenessWorkplace Effectiveness

Using Using KeyTrainKeyTrain to Measureto MeasureSkill AssessmentSkill Assessment

Applied SkillsApplied SkillsDiversityDiversity

I. T. ApplicationI. T. Application

LeadershipLeadership

Creativity/InnovationCreativity/Innovation

Lifelong Learning/Lifelong Learning/Self DirectionSelf Direction

Key TrainKey TrainWorkplace EthicsWorkplace Ethics

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Communication Skills Communication Skills Work HabitsWork Habits

Communication SkillsCommunication Skills

Business EtiquetteBusiness EtiquetteWorkplace EffectivenessWorkplace EffectivenessWork HabitsWork Habits

Using Using KeyTrainKeyTrain to Measureto MeasureSkill AssessmentSkill Assessment

Applied SkillsApplied Skills

Professionalism & Professionalism & Work EthicsWork Ethics

Ethics & Social Ethics & Social ResponsibilityResponsibility

Key TrainKey Train

Workplace EffectivenessWorkplace EffectivenessWork HabitsWork HabitsBusiness EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette

Work HabitsWork HabitsBusiness EtiquetteBusiness Etiquette

Any Questions?Any Questions?

Glenda OwenGlenda OwenOklahoma Employment Security Oklahoma Employment Security CommissionCommission

PO Box 52003PO Box 52003Oklahoma City, OK 73152Oklahoma City, OK 73152(405) 962(405) 962--46034603(405) 203(405) 203--27272727Glenda.owen@oesc.state.ok.usGlenda.owen@oesc.state.ok.us