CHMURA – JOBSEQ: Evaluate Local Workforce Against Education Through Data Analytic Tools
By Nancy Aird
Do you understand the local workforce? JobsEQ by CHMURA software tools provide data analytics on critical indicators, including occupation and industry data, demographic profile by age and race, income and poverty levels, underemployment, growth demands, wages, and employment by history. JobsEQ for Education also produces data projections on what skills, certifications, and occupations will be high-wage and in-demand in the coming years. Ten of the Centers of Excellence (COE) have joined together to develop a CHMURA Data Pilot to research, analyze and disseminate information on workforce supply and demographic data for a quarterly report with final recommendation on the tool’s effectiveness.
Each COE will be submitting 2-4 occupations by 6-Digit SOC (Standard Occupational Classification is a federal statistical standard used to classify workers into occupational categories). The Center of Excellence for Homeland Security Emergency Management (CoE-HSEM) will be looking at the following occupations:
- SOC 11-9161 Emergency Management Directors
- SOC 19-5011 Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- SOC 33-2022 Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security (CTE Cluster)
We are just starting to learn about the JobsEQ site. The site can drill down from the total state percentages to county levels.
It also will break down the employment to industry, wages, education profile, job posting, top skills and gaps, and county distribution. Here is some of our first data: Current occupation demographics (CHMURA) data:
- Emergency Management Directors – averages are 86.2% white and 63.4% men.
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists – average 88.0% white and 66.9 % men.
- Forest Fire Inspectors and Prevention Specialists- average 84.5% white and 77.3% men.
- Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Security – average are 82.5% white and 65.9% men.
How will we use our data? First, the CoE-HSEM’s Advisory Board (41 members) reviews the current position statement. In addition, it communicates with constituencies regarding its position on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) to our pathway programs.
Our board looks at how colleges develop and deliver social equity/social justice content in courses and activities.
Also identified and addressed are EDI issues of racism within the all-hazard emergency management field intending to improve outcomes to communities and vulnerable populations. Program changes promote racial equity and the recruitment of diverse individuals into the workforce from underrepresented groups. We will also provide forums for collaborative learning to prepare participants to engage and build core values of EDI and model those behaviors.
Why do we need a diverse occupation demographic?
Societal protests and demands for the inclusion of representation are arising daily. Facing climate change repercussions and natural hazard risks (flood, drought, tsunami, hurricane, tornado, volcano, fires, earthquakes, rising sea level) are societal concerns. The need for expanding our investment in training and educating citizens to address social vulnerability and community resilience is becoming more urgent. Hazard emergency management programs can fill the gaps and needs with educated professionals from our underrepresented groups and communities.