Within the local labor market, the WCTEDD region boasts strong regional competencies, evidenced by high Location Quotients (LQ), in Farming, Fishing, in several skilled occupational clusters, including:
Location quotient (LQ) is a way of quantifying how concentrated a particular industry, cluster, occupation, or demographic group is in a region as compared to the nation. It can reveal what makes a particular region “unique” in comparison to the national average, and generally represents regional exports and wealth generators for the region.
Drilling down to the occupaitonal level, skilled labor concentrations associated with energy production, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. The occupations with the highest ten Location Quotients are:
Regional concentrations in these skilled occupational clusters represents a competitive advantage for the WCTEDD region. Economic development efforts can leverage demonstrated labor capacity in these areas to attract new business and drive expansion efforts.
- Forrestry Occupations (LQ 2.09)
- Construction and Extraction Occupations (LQ 1.52)
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations (1.27)
- Protective Service Occupations (LQ 1.26)
- Healthcare Support Occupations (LQ 1.26)
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations (LQ 1.08)
Location quotient (LQ) is a way of quantifying how concentrated a particular industry, cluster, occupation, or demographic group is in a region as compared to the nation. It can reveal what makes a particular region “unique” in comparison to the national average, and generally represents regional exports and wealth generators for the region.
Drilling down to the occupaitonal level, skilled labor concentrations associated with energy production, healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture. The occupations with the highest ten Location Quotients are:
- Extraction Workers - Helpers (LQ 18.38)
- Roustabouts, Oil and Gas (LQ 16.95)
- Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas (15.00)
- Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas (LQ 12.63)
- Wind Turbine Technicians (LQ 11.88)
- Pump Pperators (LQ 10.78)
- Psychiatric Aides (LQ 10.21)
- Wellhead Pumpers (LQ 9.57)
- Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas (LQ 9.25)
- Boilermakers (LQ 6.46)
Regional concentrations in these skilled occupational clusters represents a competitive advantage for the WCTEDD region. Economic development efforts can leverage demonstrated labor capacity in these areas to attract new business and drive expansion efforts.
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Occupaitonal projections (Texas Workforce Commission, 2014-2024) were also studied and evaluated in the context of local business clousres and WCTEDD survey results (2017). Table 18 on the following page provides an overview of Texas Workforce Commission projections by occupational cluster for the years 2014-2024, as well as an estimate of annual average openings attributable to growth and replacement.
Upon completion of the review of current clusters, wages, county differentiations, and comparisons of regional, state and national averages, assessment focused on workforce projections to determine resource allocation and goal development. At the time of this projection, the region was projected to experience a job growth rate of 11.6%, led by strong job growth (percentage) in Computer and Mathematical (17.4%); Community and Social Science (16.4%); Education, Training, and Library (17.3%); Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (22.3%); Healthcare Support (16.9%); Food Preparation and Serving (25.9%); and Personal Care and Service (16.3%) occupations.
Jobs added in five occupation clusters, meanwhile, are projected to account for more than half of the overall job growth (number change).
No occupational clusters are projected experience significant job losses during the 10 year period, although the Architecture and Engineering cluster and the Life, Physical, and Social Science clusters are projecting no change and nominal losses respectively. Growth in these areas, however, is driven significantlyby oil and gas as well as renewable energy production levels throughout the region, which are difficult to project with accuracy. Contributors to this analysis expect growth in these occupations (as well as volatility in job levels) throughout the ten year period, despite the low numbers projected by the Texas Workforce Commission. The WCTEDD region, to include economic development and the local Workforce Board are experienced in navigating these fluctuations in production and staffing, and are effective in responding with recruitment and employment services to assist during ramp-ups and slow-downs.
Upon completion of the review of current clusters, wages, county differentiations, and comparisons of regional, state and national averages, assessment focused on workforce projections to determine resource allocation and goal development. At the time of this projection, the region was projected to experience a job growth rate of 11.6%, led by strong job growth (percentage) in Computer and Mathematical (17.4%); Community and Social Science (16.4%); Education, Training, and Library (17.3%); Healthcare Practitioners and Technical (22.3%); Healthcare Support (16.9%); Food Preparation and Serving (25.9%); and Personal Care and Service (16.3%) occupations.
Jobs added in five occupation clusters, meanwhile, are projected to account for more than half of the overall job growth (number change).
- Education, Training, and Library cluster projects to add 1,670 jobs
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical cluster projects to add 1,930 jobs
- Food Preparation and Serving Related cluster projects to add 3,020 jobs
- Sales and Related cluster projects to add 1,650 jobs
- Office and Administrative Support projects to add 1,480 jobs
No occupational clusters are projected experience significant job losses during the 10 year period, although the Architecture and Engineering cluster and the Life, Physical, and Social Science clusters are projecting no change and nominal losses respectively. Growth in these areas, however, is driven significantlyby oil and gas as well as renewable energy production levels throughout the region, which are difficult to project with accuracy. Contributors to this analysis expect growth in these occupations (as well as volatility in job levels) throughout the ten year period, despite the low numbers projected by the Texas Workforce Commission. The WCTEDD region, to include economic development and the local Workforce Board are experienced in navigating these fluctuations in production and staffing, and are effective in responding with recruitment and employment services to assist during ramp-ups and slow-downs.
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Completion of an effective Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy also included evaluating the composition of the regional employer community and identifying major employers in the 19-county region. Based on the InfoUSA data published by the Texas Workforce Commission (www.industryprofiles.com) all employers with 50 or more employees identified and mapped. Employers were grouped by county and according to employment ranges of 50-99 employees, 100-499 employees, and the few employers with 500 or more employees. A total of 450 West Central Texas employers were included on this process.
The results of the evaluation show much of the employment to be in service industries and consistent with the occupational cluster information in Job Zones 1 and 2. The U.S. Department of Labor by the National Center for O*NET Development define Job Zones as A Job Zone is a group of occupations that are similar in (1) how much education people need to do the work, (2) how much related experience people need to do the work, and (3) how much on-the-job training people need to do the work. They identify five Job Zones are:
The analysis provides a useful tool to identify those employers involved in manufacture of product. Increased discussion of economic development professionals identifying overseas markets for local product to offset local economic downturns is vital to the viability of local business efforts. Clear understanding of overall employment projections, combined with an in-depth knowledge of the regional employer community, to include those critical to each county and community within the region, provide a The West Central Texas Economic Development District serves as a catalyst for economic expansion and prosperity while preserving the integrity and character of the Big Country region. Strategic development occurs through creation of sustainable wage jobs, establishment of innovative projects and businesses, strong alliance with local economic development efforts, provision of technical assistance, collection and interpretation of economic data, and vigorous evaluation and procurement of services and resources.
The results of the evaluation show much of the employment to be in service industries and consistent with the occupational cluster information in Job Zones 1 and 2. The U.S. Department of Labor by the National Center for O*NET Development define Job Zones as A Job Zone is a group of occupations that are similar in (1) how much education people need to do the work, (2) how much related experience people need to do the work, and (3) how much on-the-job training people need to do the work. They identify five Job Zones are:
- Job Zone 1 - occupations that need little or no preparation
- Job Zone 2 - occupations that need some preparation
- Job Zone 3 - occupations that need medium preparation
- Job Zone 4 - occupations that need considerable preparation
- Job Zone 5 - occupations that need extensive preparation
The analysis provides a useful tool to identify those employers involved in manufacture of product. Increased discussion of economic development professionals identifying overseas markets for local product to offset local economic downturns is vital to the viability of local business efforts. Clear understanding of overall employment projections, combined with an in-depth knowledge of the regional employer community, to include those critical to each county and community within the region, provide a The West Central Texas Economic Development District serves as a catalyst for economic expansion and prosperity while preserving the integrity and character of the Big Country region. Strategic development occurs through creation of sustainable wage jobs, establishment of innovative projects and businesses, strong alliance with local economic development efforts, provision of technical assistance, collection and interpretation of economic data, and vigorous evaluation and procurement of services and resources.