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REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE GARY MOLLOY, COMMISSIONER VIRGIN ISLANDS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR SPRING 2022 - MARCH 25, 2022 Overview of demographic and unemployment changes affecting the USVI Workforce Agenda Overview of current Workforce Development Training Programs and initiatives Demographic Changes Affecting the USVI Workforce HISTORICAL CONTEXT Population Change The resident count in 2020 represented a population decrease of 18 percent from the 2010 count of 106,405, nearly 20,000 fewer people than in 2010. Population Growth Index Population growth has continuously fallen behind the national growth, with a steady annual population decline of 1.02 percent, compared to the U.S. average yearly growth of 0.82 percent. Aging Workforce The most significant demographic change will continue to be a rising number and share of older workers in the coming years. In 2015—the most recent year for which data is available—20 percent of people in the pre-retirement age group (those ages 55 to 64) were in the workforce, a number that will rise as baby boomers grow into older adulthood. Education One of the challenges facing the USVI’s workforce is the low educational attainment relative to the U.S. - the demand for higher education and skills will dominate employment opportunities in the economy. High-skill jobs are projected to be the fastest growing occupations over the next 10 years according to USBLS. Unemployment Rates The Virgin Islands Local Area Unemployment Rates were revised as part of the annual benchmarking process and to update the population counts for the workforce as per Census 2020. • Total Labor Force* 43,250 • Total Employment** 39,709 • Unemployed 3,541 Area Labor Force Employment Unemployment Ratio St. Croix 19,940 18,001 1,939 9.7% St.Thomas/St. John 23,310 21,708 1,602 6.9% Virgin Islands 43,250 39,709 3,541 8.2% • The current Unemployment Rate for the Virgin Islands as of January 2022 is 8.2%. *Includes are all persons in the civilian noninstitutional population ages 16 and older classified as either employed or unemployed. ** includes domestic workers, and self employed. Labor Force Participation Rate The participation rate is the percentage of the population that is either working or actively looking for work. The labor force participation rate is calculated as: (Labor Force ÷ Civilian Noninstitutional Population) x 100. 49.0% 51.0% 53.0% 55.0% 57.0% 59.0% 61.0% Virgin Islands Labor Force Participation Rate Source VI 2020 Census, VI Local Area Unemployment Statistics VI STX STT/STJ The Virgin Islands Labor Force participation rate during the periods of January 2020 to December 2021 peaked at 61% and fell to 50% in January 2021 on the island of St. Croix. This decrease was directly attributable to the impact of the pandemic on the workforce, Limetree Bay, and the closures of establishments. In the 2021 cycle, the rates have some growth as establishments, and public places have reopened, in addition to the tourist industry commerce. Where Are We Now? Total Unemployment Insurance Claims Processed As of March 18, 2022 4,623 active benefit year claims (St. Thomas – 1,133 St. Croix – 2,215, Interstate – 1,116 and St. John – 159) Workforce Development PROGRAMS & INITIATIVES Four Critical Challenges to Address Preparing workers for new opportunities through improved education and job skills 01 Retraining efforts for displaced workers 02 Creating new economic development approaches to diversify the economy, focusing primarily on higher demand jobs in the technology and healthcare fields; and 03 Addressing low-wage incomes. 04 2022 USVI Projected Employment Top 3 industries: Public Administration Accommodation and Food Service Construction Short-term Occupational Outlook for USVI: Demand: Healthcare Practitioners & Tech. Healthcare Support Construction & Extraction Declining: Food Prep. & Serving Bldg & Grounds Cleaning/Maint. Production WIOA Training Program Enrollment Numbers- All Programs Healthcare/Allied Health Construction Trades Administrative & Support Services Information Technology Leisure & Hospitality 61 27 5 0 6 13 7 1 2 2 Industry Sector CY2021 Jan. 1 – Mar. 4, 2022 16 ETPL Approved Providers Total 99 25 WIOA Occupational Skills Training Programs -FEDERAL FUNDING Administrative and Support Services Administrative Assistant PM-6100 Project Management Essentials Healthcare Support/Allied Health Certified Nursing Assistant Program (STT) Child Care with CDA Certification/STX Clinical Medical Assistant - STT Emergency Medical Technician (STT) Licensed Practical Nurse (STT) HI-1000 Medical Front Office Assistant and Administration Specialist Understand Medical Administrative Assistant & Billing and Coding Specialists - STT Medical Administrative Assistant - (STT) Nursing Assistant (STT) Phlebotomy - STX Phlebotomy Technician - STT Information Technology Certified Fiber Optics Technician Training Program-STX Construction Trades Carpentry (STT) Electrical Technician (STT) Heating Ventilating Air Conditioning & Refrigeration(HVAC) – STT NCCER Core Curriculum-STX NCCER Electrical I - STX Welding (STX) Leisure & Hospitality Culinary Arts - STT Program Sponsor/Employer Certified Massage Therapist (CMT) Peace of St Croix Inc. Medical Assistant/Patient Care Coordinator Plessen Healthcare Surgical Technologist Plessen Healthcare Life Safety Coordinator Plessen Healthcare Able Seaman (Water Transportation) VI Professional Charter Association Current Registered Apprenticeship Programs ALIGNING WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES Workforce Development Board expanded the list of In- Demand Occupations eligible for WIOA funding to include emerging sectors aligned with the Vision 2040 Industry Sectors and Occupations. Workforce Development Board expanded the list of Approved Eligible Training Providers (ETPL) to create greater access to diverse skills training for eligible WIOA program participants. Workforce Development Board approved policy to increase access to WIOA funding for Employer Sponsors of Apprenticeship Programs in the territory. Program includes funding up to a max of $8,000 per individual apprentice. CDBG-DR SKILLS FOR TODAY PROGRAM What It Is: A workforce training initiative administered by the VI Department of Labor and ICF, funded through CDBG-DR disaster recovery funds in response to 2017 Hurricanes Irma and Maria. Two-year period of performance. What It Does: Provide access to training in Construction, Hospitality, Healthcare, Information Technology and Marine Services. Type of Training Available: Work readiness training and Occupational Skills training Work-Based Learning - On-the-Job training, Customized Training, Incumbent Worker Training and Registered Apprenticeships. Target: 640 individuals Funding: Federal - $10 million dollars Target: 640 individuals Dashboard as of March 18, 2022 Healthcare/Allied Health: • Certified Nursing Assistant • Home Health Aide • Personal Care Aide On the Job Training: • Environmental Technician • Dispatcher and Warehouse Rep • Barista/Ice Cream Guru Customized Training: Culinary Arts THANK YOU TO THE TEAM! OTHER PARTNERS & ENTITIES Questions?