Workers available, job study shows

A study conducted last summer by Middle Tennessee State University's Business and Economic Research Center (BERC) of a seven-county region of Southern Middle Tennessee, including Bedford County, shows that out of a work force of 121,782, not only were 18,523 unemployed but a similar number -- 18,055 -- were underemployed.

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Read the study online

http://frank.mtsu.edu/~berc/underemploym...

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In Bedford County specifically, out of 22,558 workers, 4,279 were unemployed but 3,542 were underemployed.

BERC casts the figures as an opportunity which can be used to convince potential industries that a workforce is available.

"The study findings suggest that the seven-county region in southern middle Tennessee has an abundant labor force that may easily adapt to business needs," reads the conclusion.

"That's exactly what the study has done for me, and other industrial developers in the region," said CEO Walt Wood of Shelbyville & Bedford County Chamber of Commerce. "I think we've got a good tool in our kit now."

It was Wood and other industrial recruiters from the region who asked MTSU to conduct the study.

The survey classified four different types of workers as being underemployed:

* Workers who were not given the chance to work as many hours as desired;

* Workers whose job is a mismatch with their education, experience and skill;

* Workers whose wage level is significantly lower than what would be received by another worker with similar educational and experience levels;

* Workers who are willing to shift jobs even if the new job pays about the same as their current job.

Another 10,675 workers in the region, including 875 in Bedford County, are listed as being "marginally attached" -- not officially looking for work at the time of the study, but willing and able to work if jobs were available.

The seven counties in the study were Bedford, Coffee, Franklin, Grundy, Lincoln, Moore and Warren.

The study does, however, say that retraining may be necessary as the economy and the available jobs change:

"There is evidence of structural change in the region's economy over the years, and the spell of unemployment for some workers is getting longer, suggesting that these workers need comprehensive retooling of their skills and education to fit in the competitive labor market," states the study. Bedford County is home to the new Middle Tennessee Education Center, a joint effort of MTSU and Motlow State Community College.

"To have a campus with those two institutions available for courses for special needs, or special projects, or general educational improvement is a definite plus," said Wood.

When MTEC is combined with the Tennessee Technology Center at Shelbyville, which he called "a great asset," Wood said Shelbyville can market its ability to prepare local workers for new careers with an arriving or expanding business.

"That's a definite feather in our cap," said Wood.

In addition, TTCS is in the process of working towards offering classes in Franklin County.