Creating a Comprehensive “State of the Region” Report Presented by Greg Weeks, Ph.D. Washington State Employment Security Department Director Labor Market and Economic Analysis April 11, 2008 Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel Phoenix, AZ

Regional Report Probably defined by non-traditional geography –Multiple states –Multiple areas –Sub areas Specialized areas of interest –Specific industry groupings –Unique workforce issues

Purpose of the Report General overview of the economy –Industry mix, population, unemployment General overview of areas of interest –Identify targeted areas Establishing a benchmark Measure changes in indicators

Contents of Report Information about the economy Information about the workforce What makes this region special –Quality of life –Location Key sector measures

Data Attributes Ability to compare –Sub region –Region –State –Nation Multiple time periods –Where are we today –Where did we come from

Data Needs What’s important? What data might support it? Is data available? Does it show what I expected it to?

Where do I get the Data? State LMI websites or staff Bureau of Economic Analysis Census, ACS

Regional Report Sections Economy Workforce Targeted area Quality of Life

Information about the Economy Unemployment Rate Income level –Median –Per capita Employment growth Poverty levels Retail sales

Information about the Workforce Age, race, ethnicity of workforce Education attainment –High school –College –PhD Population characteristics –Age –forecasts

Information about the Targeted Sector Industry employment by age Average wages for occupations in industry Growth of firms Employment forecasts

Information about Quality of Life Hard to find consistent data Non-traditional sources It may not show what you’re expecting –Commute time –Amount of rainfall –Parks acreage

Data Attributes for EACH data source Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation Multiple time periods

Information About the Economy InformationSource Unemployment rateState LMI, BLS Median IncomeBEA Per Capita IncomeBEA Employment GrowthState LMI Poverty LevelsCensus Retail SalesState Revenue

Information about the Workforce InformationSource Age, race, eth of workforceState LMI, BLS Education attained High School College PhD Census, ACS Population Characteristics Age Forecasts Census, State Population

Information about Targeted Industries InformationSource Industry Employment by age State LMI, LEHD Wages for occupations in industries State LMI Growth of firmsState LMI, BLS Employment forecastsState LMI

Data Attributes for EACH data source Ability to compare sub region, region, state, nation Multiple time periods Non-traditional Geographies Specialize Industry groups/areas of focus

Managing the Data

Risk Areas Managing the scope –Amount of data –Format for report Data visualization is key –What are you trying to show, what’s the best way to accomplish that Data updated before you’re done Duplication of effort

Examples and Sources

Sources

In Summary Geographies may be a challenge Determine what’s important Identify and collect data Make sure it says what you think it does Clear visualization of information Leverage existing resources Stay organized

In Summary Look at other examples –Paper reports –Summary reports –Online tools Formatting, sources, and organization Not all areas are created equal

Questions and Discussion

THANK YOU! Greg Weeks (360)