Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership Labor Availability Survey University Center for Survey Research By Brett Zollinger, Ph.D. Director, UCSR Trevor Steinert, M.L.S. Research Scientist

Study Objectives Estimate the available labor force in seven Southwest Missouri labor basins and in the region as a whole. Determine types of considerations (pay, benefits, commuting distance) that influence the available labor force’s decision-making. Determine background characteristics of the available labor force. Assess extent of underemployment in the available labor force and background characteristics of underemployed.

Available Labor Force Defined Those adults 18 and older in the study area who indicate that they would seriously consider a new employment opportunity at this time. INCLUDES: individuals who are employed, unemployed, homemaker, student, or retired In practice, not all will necessarily apply for a new job, but an analysis of this population’s expectations and characteristics does give area employers some important information about the area’s labor market that cannot be gleaned from official statistics that merely report extent of unemployment, underemployment and prevailing wage levels.

Study Methods Between May 14 and July 5, 2001, the UCSR conducted a random sample survey of adults in 21 Southwest Missouri counties and 3 Northwest Arkansas counties. A total of 3,780 adults were successfully contacted after up to six call attempts. 2,223 agreed to complete the survey. This represents a response rate of 59%. OREP desired an analysis of 7 labor basins: Springfield, Buffalo, Branson, Cassville, Mt. Vernon, Greenfield, Bolivar

Study Methods Using a 95% confidence interval, the results from the regional level survey have a margin of error of +\-2.1%. The results obtained from the sample population do not vary by more than +\-2.1% from the results that would have been obtained if the total adult population was surveyed (assuming no response bias).

Regional Map

Springfield Labor Basin

Buffalo Labor Basin

Branson Labor Basin

Cassville Labor Basin

Mt. Vernon Labor Basin

Greenfield Labor Basin

Bolivar Labor Basin

Regional Results

Available Labor Occupational Distribution

Available Labor Background Characteristics

Available Labor Wage Expectations

Available Labor Benefit Expectations

Available Labor Willingness to Commute

Available Labor Underemployment Prevalence Does your current job underutilize your skills, education, or talents? (“Yes” = 36%)

Underemployed Education Levels * Cumulative percent with high school diploma (95.4%) higher than available labor in general (92.9%). * Cumulative percent with some college (63.3%) higher than available labor in general (59.4%). * Cumulative percent with Bachelors (19.9%) lower than available labor in general (24.4%).

Summary of Findings There is an available labor pool in the Ozarks region of 262,346. It is estimated that 16,971 unemployed and 41,852 employed workers are seeking new employment. 203,524 would consider changing employment for the right opportunities. 59.4% of those in the available labor pool have at least some college education. A total of 92.9% have at least a high school diploma.

Summary of Findings 53.6% of the available labor pool, or 140,603 people, would be interested in an employment opportunity with a wage of $14.00 an hour. At $12.00 an hour, 120,754 people (46.0% of the available labor) would be interested, while at $10.00 an hour, 86,278 people (32.9% of the available labor) would be interested. Workers in the Ozarks region are willing to travel to take advantage of employment opportunities. 251,405 (95.8% of the available labor) would commute more than 15 minutes, one way, for employment. 208,581 (79.5% of the available labor) are willing to travel more than 30 minutes, one way, for an employment opportunity and 42,236 (16.1%) will commute more than 60 minutes.

Summary of Findings 35.8%, or an estimated 93,947 workers in the available labor pool, are underemployed.

Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership Labor Availability Survey Brett Zollinger University Center for Survey Research