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Ascension Parish exhibits a well-balanced mix of private and public employers offering the broad spectrum of occupational pursuits for our citizens. The ability of Ascension Parish and the State of Louisiana to support the manpower requirements of new and expanding enterprises has been the key factor that has led to unprecedented economic growth in the last decade in this area. Ascension Parish saw its Non-Agricultural Wage and Salary Employment increase by 15% from the 3rd Quarter of 2000 to the 3rd Quarter of 2008, which is one of the fastest rates of growth among counties in the US (see Figure 1). Employment in Ascension Parish increased from 2000 to 2008 at a faster pace than the Baton Rouge MSA as a whole and at more than seven times the growth rate of the State of Louisiana as a whole.
While Ascension Parish has exhibited strong employment growth, this has not resulted in unmanageable wage inflation. As indicated in Figure 2, from 2000 to 2007, the average annual rate of increase in average weekly earnings in Ascension Parish was only 2.37%.
Figure 3 exhibits the latest Civilian Labor Force and Unemployment data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission. In May 2009, Ascension Parish's unemployment rate was at 5.9% compared to the statewide average of 6.3% and the US average of 9.1%. The area's Civilian Labor Force has continued to expand. Ascension Parish added some 10,569 people to its Civilian Labor Force during the last five years while the Baton Rouge MSA saw a net gain of 28,438. The Ascension Parish Region, which consists of Ascension and all contiguous Parishes and is more reflective of Ascension's labor draw area, realized a net increase of 19,079 people in its Civilian Labor force in the last five years.
FIGURE 1
Average 4th Quarter Non-Agricultural Wage & Salary Employment 2000 - 2008
| Change |
Actual Change |
Percent |
| Area |
2008
|
2000
|
2008
|
2000 - 2008
|
2000 --
|
| Ascension Parish |
|
29,268
|
35,763
|
6,495
|
22.2
|
| Baton Rouge MSA |
|
382,726
|
421,193
|
38,467
|
10.1
|
| Ascension Parish Region* |
|
333,175
|
368,596
|
35,421
|
10.6
|
| Louisiana |
|
1,878,421
|
1,907,517
|
29,096
|
1.5
|
| Ascension Parish % BRMSA |
|
|
7.6
|
8.5
|
|
| Ascension Parish % Louisiana |
|
|
1.6
|
1.9
|
|
*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
Figure 2
Average 4th Quarter Weekly Wages in Ascension Parish 2000 -- 2008
|
Year
|
Annual Average Weekly Wage($)
|
|
2000
|
665.45
|
|
2001
|
682.94
|
|
2002
|
669.22
|
|
2003
|
672.56
|
|
2004
|
708.72
|
|
2005
|
731.25
|
|
2006
|
803.00
|
|
2007
|
826.00
|
|
2008
|
878.00
|
Average Annual Increase= 3.99%
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
FIGURE 3
Civilian Labor force, Employment and Unemployment
July 2004 - 2009
| |
|
Ascension Parish
|
|
Area
|
Ascension Parish
|
BRMSA
|
Region
|
|
Civilian Labor Force
|
|
|
|
|
April 2004
|
39,600
|
355,730
|
360,900
|
|
April 2009
|
50,060
|
380,706
|
382,875
|
|
Variance
|
+10,460
|
+24,976
|
+21,975
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employed
|
|
|
|
|
April 2004
|
36,400
|
331,120
|
334,780
|
|
April 2009
|
46,691
|
353,019
|
357,880
|
|
Variance
|
+10,291
|
+21,899
|
+23,100
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Unemployed
|
|
|
|
|
April 2004
|
3,200
|
24,610
|
26,120
|
|
April 2009
|
3,369
|
27,687
|
24,995
|
|
Variance
|
+169
|
+3,077
|
- 1,125
|
| |
|
|
|
|
% Unemployed
|
|
|
|
|
April 2004
|
8.1
|
6.5
|
7.2
|
|
April 2009
|
6.7
|
7.3
|
6.5
|
|
Variance
|
-1.4
|
+.8
|
-0.8
|
*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
FIGURE 4
Ascension Parish Population by Age Cohorts July 2007
|
Age Cohort
|
Total Population
|
Percent in Cohort
|
|
<5
|
7,871
|
8.3
|
|
5 - 9
|
7,807
|
8.3
|
|
10 - 14
|
7,278
|
7.7
|
|
15 - 19
|
6,945
|
7.3
|
|
20 -24
|
7,041
|
7.4
|
|
25 - 34
|
13,959
|
14.8
|
|
35 - 44
|
14,497
|
15.3
|
|
45 - 54
|
13,180
|
13.9
|
|
55 - 59
|
4,646
|
5.0
|
|
60 - 64
|
3,624
|
3.8
|
|
65 - 74
|
4,464
|
4.7
|
|
75 - 84
|
2,375
|
2.5
|
|
>85
|
774
|
.8
|
Median Age: 32.5
Prime Working Age Group (15 - 54): 55,622 (58.8%)
Source: US Census Bureau
FIGURE 5
Ascension Parish Educational Attainment July 2007
Percent Population >25 Years Old
|
Education Parish
|
Ascension
|
Baton Rouge
|
|
|
Percent Ascension
|
|
Level
|
Parish
|
MSA
|
Louisiana
|
USA
|
BRMSA
|
Louisiana
|
USA
|
|
<9th Grade
|
5.4
|
5.2
|
7.3
|
6.5
|
103.8
|
74.0
|
83.1
|
|
9 - 12, No Diploma
|
10.7
|
11.2
|
13.2
|
9.5
|
95.5
|
81.1
|
112.6
|
|
High School Grad/GED
|
41.3
|
34.0
|
35.7
|
30.0
|
121.5
|
116.3
|
137.7
|
|
Some College, No Degree
|
19.7
|
21.3
|
19.6
|
19.6
|
92.5
|
100.5
|
100.5
|
|
Associate's Degree
|
4.2
|
4.0
|
4.4
|
7.4
|
105.0
|
95.5
|
56.8
|
|
Bachelor's Degree
|
13.8
|
15.9
|
13.3
|
17.1
|
86.8
|
103.8
|
80.7
|
|
Graduate or Prof. Degree
|
5.0
|
8.4
|
6.8
|
9.9
|
59.5
|
73.5
|
50.5
|
|
% High School Graduates
|
83.9
|
83.6
|
79.4
|
84.4
|
100.4
|
105.5
|
99.9
|
|
% > Bachelor's Degree
|
18.8
|
24.4
|
20.1
|
27.7
|
77.7
|
93.5
|
69.6
|
Source: US Census Bureau
FIGURE 6
Ascension Parish Occupations July 2000 -- 2007
(Employed Persons >16 Years Old)
|
% Change
|
|
|
Actual Change
|
|
Occupation
|
2000
|
2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
|
Management, Professional & Related
|
9,244
|
12,837
|
3,593
|
38.9
|
|
Services
|
4,392
|
6,460
|
2,068
|
47.1
|
|
Sales and Office
|
9,805
|
12,353
|
2,548
|
26.0
|
|
Farming, Fishing & Forestry
|
108
|
114
|
6
|
5.6
|
|
Construction, Extraction, Maintenance & Repair
|
5,702
|
6,313
|
611
|
10.7
|
|
Production, Transportation and Material Moving
|
5,900
|
6,818
|
918
|
15.6
|
Source: US Census Bureau
FIGURE 7
Ascension Parish Employment by Industry July 2000 -- 2007
(Employed Persons >16 Years Old)
|
% Change
|
|
|
Actual Change
|
|
Industry
|
2000
|
2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
|
Agriculture, Fishing, Hunting, Forestry & Mining
|
367
|
470
|
103
|
28.1
|
|
Construction
|
4,658
|
6,167
|
1,509
|
32.4
|
|
Manufacturing
|
6,409
|
5,715
|
6,409
|
10.8
|
|
Wholesale Trade
|
1,413
|
2,098
|
685
|
48.5
|
|
Retail Trade
|
4,176
|
5,364
|
1,118
|
28.4
|
|
Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities
|
1,851
|
2,615
|
764
|
41.3
|
|
Information
|
657
|
538
|
119
|
18.1
|
|
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate
|
2,114
|
3090
|
976
|
46.2
|
|
Professional, Scientific, Management and Administration
|
2,342
|
4,122
|
1,780
|
76.0
|
|
Educational, Healthcare & Social Assistance
|
5,881
|
7,358
|
1,417
|
25.1
|
|
Arts, Entertainment, Recreation, Hospitality & Food
Services
|
2,061
|
3,478
|
1,417
|
68.8
|
|
Other Services, Except Public Administration
|
1,694
|
2,072
|
378
|
22.3
|
|
Public Administration
|
1,530
|
1,772
|
242
|
15.8
|
Source: US Census Bureau
FIGURE 8
Average Annual Wages July 2000 - 2007 ($)
(Employed Persons >16 Years Old)
|
% Change
|
|
|
Actual Change
|
|
Area
|
2000
|
2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
2000 - 2007
|
|
Ascension Parish
|
32,908
|
41,028
|
8,120
|
24.7
|
|
Baton Rouge MSA
|
28,786
|
38,610
|
9,824
|
34.1
|
|
Louisiana
|
27,333
|
37,568
|
10,253
|
37.5
|
|
USA
|
34,718
|
43,889
|
9,171
|
26.4
|
|
Ascension Parish % BRMSA
|
114.3
|
106.3
|
--
|
--
|
|
Ascension Parish % Louisiana
|
120.4
|
109.4
|
--
|
--
|
|
Ascension Parish % USA
|
94.8
|
93.5
|
--
|
--
|
Source: US Census Bureau
FIGURE 9
Average Weekly Wages 4th Quarter 2000 - 2008 ($)
(Employed Persons >16 Years Old
|
% Change
|
|
|
Actual Change
|
|
Change Area
|
2000
|
2008
|
2000 - 2008
|
2000 -
|
|
Ascension Parish
|
665.45
|
789.81
|
124.36
|
18.5
|
|
Baton Rouge MSA
|
567.85
|
758.14
|
190.29
|
33.5
|
|
Louisiana
|
531.39
|
750.11
|
218.72
|
41.2
|
|
Ascension Parish % BRMSA
|
117.2
|
104.2
|
--
|
--
|
|
Ascension Parish % Louisiana
|
125.2
|
105.3
|
--
|
--
|
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission
| 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.
Louisiana Technical College
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
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