NEWS

Report Released on Worker Movement Among States

CHEYENNE - In the Spring of 2006, the Wyoming Workforce Development Council and Department of Workforce Services launched an effort to gather information about the movement of Wyoming's workers. As the unemployment rate continued to decline, and economic indicators suggested substantial future demand for more labor, it became clear to the two organizations that information on labor availability within Wyoming would become increasingly important in developing strategies to meet the growing demand.

The Council and Department engaged the Department of Employment's Research & Planning section to examine the question, "What can we find out about workers who originated in one state and are now working in Wyoming?" In this report, the answer to this question shows where people are moving from and the industries that are attracting them to our state. Knowing the origin of workers allows business owners, policy makers, and economic developers to explore these areas as potential sources of labor.

"The data generated from the Road to Work: Commuting in Wyoming report identify relationships between the number of inflows into the state of Wyoming and that individual's state of origin. The report also breaks down distribution by industry for inflow into Wyoming by state of origin of workers who do not have a Wyoming driver's license," explains Jerimiah Rieman, Policy Analyst for the Department of Workforce Services.

Economic developers in Wyoming can use this data to assist recruiting efforts in other states. If workers already migrate to Wyoming for work, it is reasonable to assume that others will follow if their experiences are pleasant. Conversely, states of origin that exhibit minimal inflows are less desirable recruiting locations.

You can find the Road to Work: Commuting in Wyoming report at the Wyoming Workforce Development Council's website www.wyowdc.org. For questions related to the data of the study directly contact Research & Planning at (307) 473-3807. For additional information regarding the Wyoming Workforce Development Council, please contact (307) 777-5629 or visit www.wyowdc.org.

Listen to the audio podcast from Jerimiah Rieman, Policy Analyst for the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.