Fay-Penn Economic Development Council (Fay-Penn) is asking the public for its help.
Fay-Penn is sending out surveys to help to document Fayette County's skilled workforce in an effort to enhance recruitment of high-technology companies and professional firms to this area. Fay-Penn President Michael Krajovic said the study is critical to the county's economic development effort. He is soliciting participation from county residents.
Fay-Penn project manager, Michael Jordan, stated Fayette County, much more than Pennsylvania and the rest of the nation, continues to struggle with the process of replacing jobs lost over the past four decades in the mining and manufacturing industries. "While funding for worker training is included in economic development packages, having a population of skilled workers already in place greatly enhances job development opportunities," said Jordan. Currently, Fayette County's workforce totals approximately 60,000 residents. "An accurate profile of this workforce, including those currently commuting to other counties and states, is greatly needed and will enhance future economic development, education and job training strategies," added Jordan.
"Fay-Penn has entered into a contract for consulting services with S. Patz and Associates of Herndon, Va. to document an accurate profile of Fayette County's skilled workforce and prepare a report that will be available to market the area to companies requiring those skills. Census 2000 data, now available for Fayette County residents, will form the basis of this study, but the scope of work will also require the consultant to conduct a confidential mail survey that documents the educational and skill level of current employees. The consultant will also be collecting information on the 22,000 out-commuting residents and professionals who live in but work outside the county," said Jordan.
Jordan added that Fay-Penn encourages county residents to complete this survey. The survey forms were mailed July 11 and will take approximately five minutes to complete. Any resident not receiving a mail survey can participate by visiting the Fay-Penn Web site at www.faypenn.org/workforce.jsp and complete the survey on line. Fay-Penn can be contacted at 724-437-7913 for any questions.
This survey is being financed, in part, utilizing grant funds provided by the U.S. Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
