WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS IN WISCONSIN'S AGRICULTURAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES INDUSTRIES

• Sponsoring Institution: State Agricultural Experiment Station
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: STATE
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0214822
• Project Start Date: Jul 1, 2008
• Project End Date: Jun 30, 2009
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIV OF WISCONSIN
21 N PARK ST STE 6401
MADISON,WI 53715-1218

Performing Department
Community and Environmental Sociology

Non Technical Summary
Several projections suggest that the supply of labor in Wisconsin will decline over the next decade. There is a growing demand for skilled labor in most industries in the state. This research examines the changing demand for and supply of labor in Wisconsin's agricultural and natural resources industries. The analysis will help training and educational institutions develop appropriate programs for these industries.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
608	6010	3010	50%
608	6050	3080	50%

Knowledge Area
608 - Community Resource Planning and Development;

Subject Of Investigation
6010 - Individuals; 6050 - Communities, areas, and regions;

Field Of Science
3010 - Economics; 3080 - Sociology;

Keywords

workforce development

labor demand

labor supply

job training

Goals / Objectives
The project's objectives are: 1) to assess the level of difficulty employers face in hiring qualifed workers in four agricultural and natural resources industries in Wisconsin; 2) to document the anticipated demand for workers in these industries; 3) to examine the educational, training and experience requirements for key occupations in these industries; and 4) to evaluate the match between the supply of and demand for labor in these four industries. The project should point to several areas for improving the labor market functioning in these areas and the types of training programs that are needed to match the demand for these occupations.

Project Methods
The primary source of data for this study will be obtained through mail surveys of approximately 1000 employers. The analysis focuses on four industries: dairy product manufacturing, animal slaughtering and processing, farm supplies wholesalers, and bio-energy firms. The purpose of the surveys is to collect data on the current and anticipated demand for various occupations within these firms. We also will obtain data from technical colleges, universities and other training institutions on the number of graduates in various agricultural and natural resource occupations. The results will be shared with training institutions, work force development boards and Wisconsin's Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council.

Progress 07/01/08 to 06/30/09

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The results of this project were disseminated widely throughout the state to organizations involved in workforce development issues for agricultural and natural resource industries. A final report was submitted to the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. A lengthy presentation was made to the council to provide insights into the implications of the study for the Council's work. A presentation was made to the Postsecondary Taskforce of the National Council on Agricultural Education. Finally, the results were used for a presentation at the Rural Labor Summit, which was sponsored by several organizations working on immigrant labor issues in Wisconsin. PARTICIPANTS: This project involved collaboration with the UW-River Falls Survey Center in conducting the surveys. We worked closely with the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council to develop the surveys. TARGET AUDIENCES: Educational and training organizations involved in agricultural and natural resources industries. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.

Impacts
The Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council is using the findings to prepare policy recommendations for agricultural education in the state.

Publications

• Hadley, S., D. Trechter, and G. Green. 2008. Wisconsin Agricultural and Natural Resource Sector Labor Report.

Progress 01/01/08 to 12/31/08

Outputs
OUTPUTS: This project analyzed the demand for labor in four key agricultural sectors: animal slaughtering, dairy processing, farm inputs and biofuels. A final report was completed and placed on the project website. The PIs presented the findings to the Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. The Council will use the findings to help develop training programs to meet the needs of employers in these sectors. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Wisconsin Agricultural Education and Workforce Development Council. Also, employers in these sectors in the state. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
The survey was completed among more than 600 firms. The central findings suggest that all four sectors report vacancies in low skill/manual labor positions at their firms: 35% of dairy product manufacturing had vacancies in this job category, 34% of animal slaughtering and processing firms, 20% of farm supply wholesalers, and 57% of bioenergy firms. Almost three-fourths of employers (73%) believe it is difficult or very difficult to find managers at current wage and benefit levels and 70% find it difficult or very difficult to find sales representatives. When employers were asked to compare how the skills needed for success five years ago compare to those needed today, most employers believe the skills for success have expanded, either greatly or slightly, in all work categories.

Publications

• Hadley, S., Trechter, D. and Green, G. 2008. Wisconsin Agricultural and Natural Resource Labor Survey Report. Madison, WI: University of Wisconsin-Extension.