4.9.24 – KNOE – By Kenya Ross – MONROE, La.
The U.S. saw a big growth in jobs in March 2024, with the number reaching over 300,000.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released a recorded employment situation on April 5 – announcing that employment rose by 303,000 in March across the country. According to the summary, the country saw job gains in healthcare, government and construction industries. President and CEO Will Green of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry said the state needs to improve on developing skills; depending on the needs of industries largely based in a specific region.
“If you’re in Monroe, Louisiana, you know that it’s a heavy pulp and paper and ag section of the state,” said Green. “Unfortunately, in Louisiana, we are one of the few states that is losing more population than we’re gaining. And so, it is critical that we enhance our efforts to find and develop top talent.”
The state business association says its efforts to expand their labor force resulted in Senate Bill 293, which will provide a primary point of contact for workforce solutions.
“We went out and we partnered with a lot of our local chambers, local businesses, as well as national organizations to see what other states are doing better than we are. What do our local businesses need? And one of the things that kept coming up was really a need for a central hub to address workforce solutions,” said Green.
The summary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also included that the number of “discouraged workers” sat at 337,000 in March 2024 – believing no jobs were available for them. Will Source Staffing, a staffing and recruiting agency in Monroe, said it’s run into a mismatched skillset with candidates. President Anna Robertson said the agency would like to see more businesses and community leaders join together to solve this issue.
“We’re in a group called NELAMAC. And so, what we do with that group is – we identify needs the community has; and trying to work together to create a plan to develop the workforce for those needs,” said Robertson. “I mean, I think the candidates’ expectations have changed. You know, they’re looking for more pay and better benefits and flexibility and working arrangements. Those demands are some that employers, like Will Source and others just can’t meet. Not every job can be done remotely.”
Green said Louisiana has high potential of leading in the energy industry.
“Look at the carbon capture space – we’re five years ahead of most other states in carbon capture projects,” Green explained.
In Dec. 2023, Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. announced the state secured Class VI primacy—the authority to permit, site, and provide oversight of carbon storage wells in the state. Green described this secured primacy as the state having better control on adopting carbon capture as a safe way to capture carbon and to created billions of dollars in investment and jobs.
Senate Bill 293 authored by Senator Rick Edmonds, which addresses workforce development, passed the Senate Tuesday evening (April 9) by a vote of 37 “yeas” and 0 “nays”. It’s now being considered by the House.