COMPASS II-2.0 Employment Key Findings

Unemployment

Tompkins County unemployment rates over the years have been low compared to New York State and the United States. Tompkins County has not, however, been insulated from the effects of the economic downturn's affect on unemployment. Unemployment has increased significantly at comparable rates for all geographies. Household survey data indicate an increased concern around unemployment as a community issue compared to 2003 data, but less than underemployment and lack of jobs. Significantly more rural residents (59.6%) than urban residents (46.4%) said unemployment was a critical problem in their community.

Underemployment 

Survey results suggest that Tompkins County continues to be viewed as having an underemployment problem with nearly 64% of household respondents and 81% of key informants indicating it is a critical problem.  Additionally, 38% of all household survey respondents indicated a problem finding a job equal to their level of education and experience, and nearly 30% of respondents reported that their current job was not equal to their level of experience and/or education. These findings are consistent across educational level of respondents.

Indicator data from the Tompkins County Labor Market Region Study conducted by Chemura Economic & Analytics (2008) show underemployment for both medium and high skilled workers and a labor shortage for basic skill workers in Tompkins County. Qualitative responses from survey respondents and focus groups support these findings with a majority of responses suggesting a mismatch with skills and experience and available jobs. Focus groups with higher skilled workers indicated a lack of jobs equal to their level of experience/education.

Qualitative information from local employers reveals an increased number of applicants for jobs with many very experienced and overqualified jobseekers.

Lack of Jobs

Lack of jobs was identified as a critical problem by 62% of household respondents and 58.1% of key informants. However, many household survey respondents commented that the county lacks good paying jobs. Focus groups with lower skilled unemployed workers agreed with this by noting a lack of livable wage jobs in the area. Many suggested that they were better off economically staying on unemployment as long as possible.

The lack of livable wage positions, supported by data from the Tompkins County Labor Market Region Study in 2008,  indicates between 2000-2006 occupations with average wages above 200% poverty increased only .46% while occupations with average wages under 200% poverty increased by 6.25% . These employment trends are expected to continue, with projections for an increased need for basic skilled, low paid workers, and limited need for higher paid, high skilled positions.   Of the 649 residents who were currently working for pay, 289 (44.5%) indicated they would like a better job.

Aging Workforce

Census data and population projections show that in 2000 approximately 9.6% of the population of Tompkins County was age 65 or older and that by 2030, the over 65 population will increase to 16%.

Survey data indicates that some older workers are staying in the workforce longer - but that age 65 is still the primary time for retirement. Stakeholder interviews indicate that both changing attitudes toward retirement and loss of retirement funds in the recent economic downturn may be driving some of these changes.

Older workers are not being shielded from the increased unemployment problems in the county. Survey data show that the percentage of respondents over 65 who are working for pay has declined from 2003 to 2009 (shown in graph above), and the number of residents aged 65 and older saying that finding a job was a problem in their household nearly doubled from 7.2% in 2003 to 13.9% in 2009.
Currently, there are fewer people over the age of 65 working for pay. Respondents 65 and older report they are not able to find work or they are not able to find work compatible to their level of education and experience.

Assets

Tompkins County has many assets with regard to employment and jobs, including a highly educated workforce and a growing technology market. The local universities enhance the quality of life in the community as well as providing fairly stable employment opportunities. Tompkins County also has several very committed agencies working with special populations to promote and provide employment, including Challenge and the Women's Opportunity Center. Tompkins Workforce NY works closely with other organizations locally to address employment issues in the county, including collaborating with Tompkins Cortland Community College to create a lifelong learning model to help people get training in various ways; working with the Tompkins County Office of Aging to create opportunities and solutions for retaining older workers in the labor market; and aligning efforts with the economic development activities of Tompkins County Area Development.

Resources
Tompkins County Area Development
Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce
Tompkins Workforce NY
Women's Opportunity Center
Challenge Industries
Index of Economic Activity for Tompkins County
NYS Department of Labor 
Alternatives Federal Credit Union