WORKFORCE
Ascension Parish’s Greatest Asset
If there’s one word to define Ascension Parish’s workforce, it’s “dynamic”. As shown in the following tables, Ascension Parish’s workforce is growing both in raw numbers as well as across all occupational sectors. From 2001 to 2011, Ascension Parish’s Civilian Labor Force grew by just over 30%. This growth rate was 3 times that of the Baton Rouge MSA as a whole and almost 30 times the rate of the State of Louisiana. The total Civilian Labor Force in the Ascension Region, defined as Ascension and the six Parishes contiguous thereto, exceeds that of the nine Parish Baton Rouge MSA.
The rate of growth in the Civilian Labor Force in Ascension Parish from 2001 to 2011 closely tracks the rate of population growth. This is critical inasmuch as population growth alone is not an indicator that a community is also expanding its labor supply. From 2000 to 2010 (latest data available) the proportion of Ascension Parish’s population in prime working age group 15 to 54 years old expanded by 34.3%, the fastest rate of growth in Louisiana and one of the fastest in the nation.
In 2010, the percentage of Ascension Parish’s population >25 years old with a high school education or equivalent exceeded that of the nation, that State of Louisiana and the Baton Rouge MSA. Conversely, the percentage of Ascension Parish residents >25 years old holding Bachelor’s Degrees or greater was at 24.8% versus the national average of 28.1% and the Baton Rouge MSA average of 28.1%. This is reflective of the employment mix in Ascension Parish, wherein the strongest demands are for individuals with post-secondary technical education versus employees with 4+ year degrees. At the same time, Ascension Parish’s location amid the Baton Rouge and New Orleans metro areas provides good availability of workers with 4-year degrees or higher.
An additional strength of Ascension Parish’s workforce shows up when we look at employment growth across occupational and industry sectors. From 2000 to 2010 (latest data available) Ascension Parish experienced growth in almost all occupational sectors. A similar picture is painted in employment growth by industry sector data, where from 2000 to 2010, Ascension Parish saw positive change in all industry sectors, except for Agriculture.
Despite the growth in employment in general and the fact that this growth has occurred in almost all industry sectors, this has not resulted in undue pressure on prevailing wage rates. From the 1st quarter 2001 to the 1st quarter 2011, the average weekly wage in Ascension Parish increased at the rate of 3.12% per annum. This closely tracks the average annual rate of change in the Consumer Price Index for Southern Urban Region.
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Pathfinders© Reports
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FIGURE 1
Average 1st Quarter Covered Employment 2001 - 2011*
| Area | Actual Change |
Percent Change | ||
| 2001 | 2011 | 2001-2011 | 2001-2011 | |
| Ascension Parish | 29,578 | 35,457 | +5,879 | +19.9% |
| Baton Rouge MSA | 295,194 | 352,501 | +57,307 | +19.4% |
| Ascension Parish Region** | 343,571 | 350,648 | +7,077 | +2.1% |
| Louisiana | 1,856,963 | 1,831,010 | -25,953 | -1.4% |
| Ascension Parish % BRMSA | 10.0% | 10.1% | 10.3% | -- |
| Ascension Parish % Louisiana | 1.6 | 1.8% | -- | -- |
*Includes employment in establishments covered under Louisiana's unemployment compensation system.
**The Ascension Parish Region incorporates Ascension Parish and all contiguous Parishes, including Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, St. James and St. John Baptist. Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
FIGURE 2
Average 1st Quarter Weekly Wages in Ascension Parish 2001 -- 2011
| Year | Average Weekly Wage($) |
| 2001 | 683 |
| 2002 | 667 |
| 2003 | 651 |
| 2004 | 667 |
| 2005 | 681 |
| 2006 | 750 |
| 2007 | 804 |
| 2008 | 807 |
| 2009 | 852 |
| 2010 | 832 |
| 2011 | 884 |
Average Annual % change 2001 - 2011= 3.12%
*Data represents the average weekly wage paid in the calendar quarter by all employers in Ascension Parish who were covered under Louisiana's unemployment compensation system.
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
FIGURE 3A
Civilian Labor force, Employment and Unemployment
December 2001 - 2011
| Area | Ascension Parish |
Baton |
Ascension Parish Region** |
| Civilian Labor Force | |||
| December 2001 |
38,799 | 335,744 | 337,604 |
| December 2011 |
49,691 | 365,326 | 368,820 |
| Variance | +10,892 | +30,418 | +31,216 |
| % Variance | 28.1 | 9.1 | 9.2 |
| Employment | |||
| December 2001 |
36,316 | 317,218 | 319,078 |
| December 2011 |
46,809 | 341,939 | 344,506 |
| Variance | +10,493 | +24,721 | +25,428 |
| % Variance | 28.9 | 7.8 | 8.0 |
| Unemployment | |||
| December 2001 TOTAL |
2,186 | 18,108 | 18,526 |
| December 2001 % |
5.6 | 5.4 | 5.5 |
| December 2011 TOTAL |
2,882 | 23,805 | 24,314 |
| December 2011 % |
5.8 | 6.5 | 6.6 |
| Variance TOTAL |
+696 | +5,697 | +5,788 |
| Variance % |
+.2 | +1.1 | +1.1 |
*The Baton Rouge MSA consists of the following nine parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana.
**The Ascension Parish Region incorporates Ascension Parish and all contiguous Parishes, including Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, St. James and St. John Baptist.
Civilian Labor Force: The number of people residing in the specified area who are either working or actively looking for work. The Civilian Labor Force is the sum of employment and unemployment.
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
FIGURE 3B
Civilian Labor Force, Percent Growth
December 2001 - 2011
*Ascension Region: Includes Ascension & the following contiguous parishes: Assumption, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, St. James, & St. John
**Baton Rouge MSA: Includes the following nine parishes: Ascension, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Iberville, Livingston, Point Coupee, St. Helena, West Baton Rouge, & West Feliciana
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
FIGURE 4
Ascension Parish Population by Age Cohorts 2000 - 2010
| Age Cohort |
Total 2000 Population |
Percent 2000 Population |
Total 2010 Population |
Percent 2010 Population |
Variance 2000-2010 Total |
Variance 2000-2010 Percent |
| <5 | 6,258 | 8.2 | 8,141 | 7.5 | 1,883 | .7 |
| 5 - 9 | 6,407 | 8.4 | 8,874 | 8.2 | 2,467 | -.2 |
| 10 - 14 | 6,484 | 8.5 | 8,652 | 8.0 | 2,168 | -.5 |
| 15 - 19 | 6,213 | 8.1 | 8,232 | 7.6 | 2,019 | -.5 |
| 20 -24 | 4,957 | 6.5 | 6,399 | 5.9 | 1,442 | -.6 |
| 25 - 34 | 11,715 | 15.3 | 14,600 | 13.5 | 2,885 | -1.8 |
| 35 - 44 | 13,359 | 17.3 | 16,991 | 15.7 | 3,632 | -1.6 |
| 45 - 54 | 9,804 | 12.8 | 15,525 | 14.1 | 5,721 | 1.3 |
| 55 - 59 | 3,312 | 4.3 | 6,502 | 6.0 | 3,190 | 1.7 |
| 60 - 64 | 2,326 | 3.0 | 4,849 | 4.5 | 2,523 | 1.5 |
| 65 - 74 | 3,384 | 4.4 | 5,874 | 5.4 | 2,490 | 1.0 |
| 75 - 84 | 1,939 | 2.5 | 2,642 | 2.4 | 708 | -.1 |
| >85 | 569 | .7 | 910 | .8 | 341 | .1 |
| Total Population: |
76,727 | 100 | 107,891 | 100 | +31,264 | +40.8% |
| Median Age: |
31.8 | -- | 34.5 | -- | -- | -- |
| Prime Working Age Group (15-54) |
45,976 | 60.0% | 61,747 | 57.3% | +15,771 | +34.3% |
Source: US Census Bureau - American Community Survey
FIGURE 5
Ascension Parish Educational Attainment 2010
Percent Population ≥25 Years Old
| Ascension Parish Percent |
|||||||
| Education Level | Ascension Parish |
Baton Rouge MSA |
Louisiana | USA |
BR MSA | Louisiana | USA |
| <9th Grade | 3.1 | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.1 | 50.8 | 47.7 | 50.8 |
| 9 - 12, No Diploma | 7.7 | 8.3 | 11.6 | 8.3 | 92.8 | 66.4 | 92.8 |
| High School Grad/GED | 38.6 | 28.5 | 34.4 | 28.5 | 135.4 | 112.2 | 135.4 |
| Some College, No Degree | 19.6 | 21.3 | 21.0 | 21.3 | 92.0 | 92.0 | 92.0 |
| Associate's Degree | 7.2 | 7.6 | 5.1 | 7.6 | 94.7 | 94.7 | 94.9 |
| Bachelor's Degree | 16.8 | 17.7 | 14.4 | 17.7 | 94.9 | 116.7 | 94.3 |
| Graduate or Prof. Degree | 7.0 | 10.4 | 7.0 | 10.4 | 67.3 | 100.0 | 67.3 |
| % High School Graduates | 89.2 | 85.6 | 84.4 | 85.6 | 104.2 | 106.0 | 104.2 |
| % ≥ Bachelor's Degree | 23.8 | 28.2 | 24.7 | 28.2 | 84.4 | 96.4 | 83.4 |
Source: US Census Bureau - American Community Survey
FIGURE 6
Ascension Parish Occupations 2000 -- 2010
(Employed Persons ≥16 Years Old)
| Actual Change | % Change | |||
| Occupation | 2000 | 2010 | 2000 - 2010 | 2000 - 2010 |
| Management, Professional & Related | 9,244 | 18,320 | 9,076 | 98.2 |
| Services | 4,392 | 5,440 | 1,048 | 23.9 |
| Sales and Office | 9,805 | 13,314 | 3,509 | 35.8 |
| Natural Resources, Construction, & Maintenance | 5,810 | 6,191 | 384 | 6.6 |
| Production, Transportation and Material Moving | 5.900 | 5,709 | -191 | -3.2 |
Source: US Census Bureau - American Community Survey
FIGURE 7
Ascension Parish Employment by Industry 2000 -- 2010
(Employed Persons ≥16 Years Old)
| Actual Change | % Change | |||
| Industry | 2000 | 2010 | 2000-2010 | 2000-2010 |
| Agriculture, Fishing, Hunting, Forestry & Mining | 367 | 298 | -69 | -18.8 |
| Construction | 4,658 | 5,396 | 738 | 15.8 |
| Manufacturing | 6,409 | 7,405 | 996 | 15.5 |
| Wholesale Trade | 1,413 | 1,591 | 178 | 12.6 |
| Retail Trade | 4,176 | 6,605 | 2,429 | 58.2 |
| Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities | 1,851 | 2,500 | 649 | 35.1 |
| Information | 657 | 1,091 | 434 | 66.1 |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 2,114 | 3,247 | 1,133 | 53.6 |
| Professional, Scientific, Management & Administration | 2,342 | 3,657 | 1,315 | 56.1 |
| Educational, Healthcare & Social Assistance | 5,881 | 9,798 | 3,917 | 66.6 |
| Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Hospitality & Food Services | 2,061 | 2,432 | 371 | 18.0 |
| Other Services, Except Public Administration | 1,694 | 2,348 | 654 | 38.6 |
| Public Administration | 1,530 | 2,561 | 1,031 | 67.4 |
Source: US Census Bureau - American Community Survey
OCCUPATIONAL EMPLOYMENT AND WAGES
Click Here to see the Louisiana Workforce Commission’s latest annual report on occupations and prevailing hourly and annual wages in the Baton Rouge MSA. More than 500 occupational titles are included!
WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS
Louisiana FastStart
Louisiana FastStart is a single-source, world class workforce solutions provider that works with qualifying new and expanding enterprises to anticipate and address the company's workforce needs early in the start-up or expansion process. FastStart's services are provided at no cost to the employer. This program is available to manufacturing concerns, corporate headquarters, warehouse and distribution, research and development or other strategic facilities that commit to creating at least 15 new jobs or to any service related operation that commits to creating at least 50 new jobs. The FastStart process works as follows:
- Project Evaluation: Examination of the new or expanding enterprise's operations and documentation of the required knowledge and skill sets of the new workforce.
- Workforce Solutions Plan: Development of project lead time schedules and training plans for the specific skill sets needed to staff the new or expanding operation. Consultation with company human resources and training officials regarding appropriate training delivery mechanisms, to include media, classroom and other activities required for a successful launch of operations.
- Material Development: Develop an instructional system design plan along with both pre- and post-employment classes customized to the new or expanding company's operations.
- Pre-Employment Identification: Coordination of testing services, classroom and job simulation exercises to identify the best candidates for potential employment at the new or expanded operation.
- Course Delivery: Delivery of instructional services wherever and whenever needed to provide the best employees possible for the company's operation.
- Evaluation and Feedback: Conduct post-delivery evaluations with the employer in order to ensure continuous improvements in the process.
River Parishes Community College
Incumbent Worker Training Program
The Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP) is designed to improve the skill sets of the existing workforce of Louisiana-based employers. There are two distinct IWTP programs:
Small Business Employee Training Designed to benefit businesses and industries with fifty (50) or fewer employees by assisting in the skill development of existing employees through standardized, "off-the-shelf" programs. Qualifying employers may receive a rebate of up to $3,000 per trainee per state fiscal year.
- Customized Training The program is designed to assist the employer in preventing job losses due to obsolete skill sets, technological change or national/global competition. The employer must demonstrate a history of successful training through placement, retention and satisfaction rates, a collaboration within its industry segment in terms of curriculum development and that the program will utilize current industry standards as the basis to train its existing employees. The employer determines what training is needed and selects the preferred training provider or providers. There is an expectation of job retention or job creation and an increase in wages for the trained employees under this program. There is no pre-determined rebate schedule for this program.
Workforce Investment Board
