Analyzing Your Program 7
There are two primary methods for conducting an LMA:
•
Distribute a survey instrument to potential employers,
either the entire population or a representative
sample.
•
Convene a focus group of potential employers to
collect information through a strategic group
interview.
The information payback of a survey is valuable because of
the number of employers included. It is necessary to be
realistic, however, about the effort and cost that goes into
such a survey. Depending on the
size of the market, a
survey might be mailed to several hundred potential
employers. Identifying who should receive the survey and
collecting their addresses is time-consuming.
Focus groups may provide a
smaller
picture of the community market,
but can be easier to implement.
Arrange
a one- to two-day meeting
with approximately 15 to 20 industry
leaders whose reputations indicate
they are
knowledgeable about the
field as well as the community. The
main cost of the focus group consists
of refreshments, which includes
continental breakfast, lunch, and
morning/afternoon snacks.
Regardless of the
strategy for collecting data, the following
types of information should be requested:
•
Type and size of the organization as well as its
products and/or services
•
Type of applicable jobs and number of those personnel
employed by the organization (both full- and part-
time)
•
Wage for entry-level personnel
•
Minimum level of education required for employment
•
Required work experience
for employment
•
Degree of difficulty finding qualified personnel
•
Projected number of full-time and part-time job
openings in the next one to five years
8
Analyzing Your Program
•
Types of skills and training the organization needs for
entry-level personnel
•
Future trends in the industry
Whichever data-gathering method is used, keep in mind
that some participants may be willing to get involved with
the program as advisory committee members (eventually
helping in the development of curricular goals and
objectives), to partner in
training, or to donate equipment.
A sample
Labor Market Assessment (LMA) Survey
ii
for
environmental and energy careers is available on ATEEC’s
website. The survey instrument can be customized to suit
individual needs.
Additionally, ATEEC has national workforce development
“Defining the Field” reports and charts for
environmental
technology
iii
,
energy technology and services
iv
, and
water
management
v
. These documents are available on ATEEC’s
website and provide an overarching view of the fields,
including categories, job titles, and general job functions.
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