Unemployment
Mississippi County
Caring Communities Partnership
Core Result: Parent Working
Benchmark: Unemployment Rate
February 2002
Objective
To maintain an average 5% unemployment rate for the county from 2001 – 2004.
Strategies
Moving the unemployed to employed for Mississippi County means addressing the problems of the lower skilled workers. Predominately Mississippi County‘s major workforce was factory work. With the closure of major factories in the last few years the unemployment rate has increased and a number of people unemployed due to the closures don’t have the skills needed. The Partnership has implemented several different programs and projects that help residents return to work.
Prevention First Job Skills Classes – Classes that offer office skills and technology based learning, equipment training various other office duties.
Computer Classes – These classes offer basic computer training and advanced computer training. Learning the Internet is also available.
Dressing for Success/Closet – Learning how to dress correctly for an interview and finding the correct clothing. This is provided to everyone that completes the Job Skills Classes.
Mock Interview Session – The participants complete a resume and cover letter, a mock interview is conducted following the dressing for success component to employment. An interview is taped and the participant critiques it and the instructor.
Stress Management Classes – Unemployed workers learn how to manage time and money. Participants are asked to balance his/her budgets and to also handle conflict and children at home.
Missouri Works – Workforce Development completes resume writing for all that need to complete resumes and registers each participant into the Missouri Works program.
Family Resource Center – The Center provides the participant with the computers necessary to sign on to Missouri Works and also offers complete assistance to workers needing help with resumes and any job related situation.
Job Fair – A partnership with the Southeast Correctional Facility to help with employment of positions at the newly opened prison.
Challenges
Mississippi County is a rural, farming community with little to no industry. The major employers in the area are the two school districts and the newly opened prison facility. The economic situation today posses a problem for those workers that are low skilled, meaning fewer jobs available, which in return means an increase in the unemployment rate.
Results
Mississippi County has seen great results from the Job Skills/Computer Training Classes. The classes offered during the evening hours give those that work the opportunity to gain new knowledge as well.
More than 45 people have entered into the job skills training/computer classes, 75% completed the classes and are employed or enrolled in higher education. Four ladies interested in qualifying for prison jobs attended the nightly computer classes with Microsoft Office to learn spreadsheet applications. All four ladies are now employed with the Correctional Facility earning 10% more per household income including state benefits.
Funding/Return on Investment
The Partnership received a state grant for $64,000 dollars to equip the classes. Workforce Development conducts classes for an investment of $9,200 and Bootheel Healthy Start, Bootheel Counseling, local employers and business do facilitation for the classes totaling $21,000 of in-kind.
The Partnership houses the classes in the CC Resource Center and helps to advertise for the classes. Local business donates time for a makeover per participant, part of dressing for success; free of charge a value of $1,500.
Barriers With the possibility of the last factory closure and the economic condition of the nation, programs like Prevention First /Job Skills is necessary to give support to those families in need. Without this service the residents in Mississippi County will not have the local means to help find employment and gain the skills needed to increase household income locally.
