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Using Labor Market Information to Address Rural Workforce Challenges

Written by Brandon Hofstedt A part of the Lunch-n-Learn program

Summary

May 2023 — This webinar highlights several rural workforce challenges and the role that university extension can play in addressing these challenges. It also introduces the Future Opportunities for Rural Workforce and Rural Development (FORWARD) curriculum designed by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development (NCRCRD) at Purdue University and the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU)—a curriculum intended to support extension professionals in their efforts address some of these rural workforce challenges. The webinar gives particular focus on how labor market information (LMI) and other types of socio-economic data can be more effectively woven into rural workforce planning efforts.

Webinar Recording

Presenter Slides

Using Labor Market Information to Address Rural Workforce, PowerPoint

Our Presenter

Dr. Mark C. White is a clinical associate professor with the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Economics at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Dr. White conducts applied research on a wide variety of economic and workforce development topics. His research helps economic and workforce development practitioners—in states, regions, and communities—make more informed, data-driven decisions about how to move their economies forward and strengthen their area workforce. Prior to joining UIUC Dr. White was an associate extension professor at the University of Missouri, and most recently led MU Extension’s Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development (Exceed) program.