March 8, 2000
LABOR FORCE SURVEY TO MAP COMMUNITY WORKFORCE NEEDS

GREATER DES MOINES – March 8, 2000 – The Greater Des Moines Partnership is working with Polk County to conduct the first labor force survey of the community since 1993.  The number of Polk County residents who want jobs or would like the opportunity to interview for work with a new or expanding industry will be calculated over the course of the next few weeks. 

“This project is an important step in continuing a successful economic development program for this area,” said Chris Voggesser, Workforce Recruitment/Development Manager for the Partnership.  “We want to encourage everyone to fill out the survey and return it to us.  Community cooperation is crucial to providing solid information on our community’s labor pool.  With good information, we can help develop a plan that will continue to provide an ample pool of workers for our expanding business needs.”

Questionnaires have been mailed to households and businesses located within Polk County.   The survey is intended for all county residents age sixteen and older.   Like a census, the success of the survey relies on the response from the community.  The Partnership encourages all eligible participants to answer all questions if they would consider a job now or in the future. 

Surveys are due to be completed and mailed back to Polk County by March 30.  Survey results will be used as a marketing tool to attract new business and industry to the area and to encourage existing employers with plans for expansion.  A comprehensive report will be generated from the data in late April or early May, and will present a statistical profile of the available labor pool, including primary and secondary skills, prevailing wage scales and commuting patterns. 

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization serving Greater Des Moines.  Its mission is to maximize local resources to address opportunities for economic and community growth.  Greater Des Moines will reach its full potential only through a united economic development effort, with one voice, one mission, one focus.