The current (May 2004) unemployment rate in Mississippi County is 13.2% . The recruiting area covers a 30 mile radius and includes Craighead, Cittenden, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett counties in Arkansas; and Dunklin and Pemiscot counties in Missouri. There are 95,256 persons residing within the recruiting area.
January December January
2003 2002 2002
-------- -------- --------
United States 6.5% 5.7% 6.3%
State of Arkansas 6.0% 5.2% 6.6%
Jonesboro MSA 4.8% 4.2% 5.9%
Mississippi County 13.5% 11.4% 15.5%
Non seasonally adjusted employment rates.
Mississippi
Arkansas County
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Natural Resources and Mining $511.89 $361.03
Construction $570.83 $784.74
Manufacturing $585.47 $872.05
Trade, Transportation and Public $508.21 $446.11
Wholesale Trade $729.16 $666.02
Retail Trade $354.79 $315.88
Financial Activities $608.70 $464.04
Professional & Business Services $589.21 $311.15
Education & Health Services $556.81 $422.16
Leisure & Hospitality $204.65 $185.02
Local Government $452.25 $347.64
State Government $592.89 $432.11
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Average (All Industries) $519.94 $534.63
Non seasonally adjusted employment rates
The normal fringe benefits are health insurance and retirement plan. Some companies offer profit sharing plans.
Right-to-Work legislation is followed in Arkansas. Arkansas is a right-to-work state and uses the employment-at-will concept. The percentage of unionized employment within local firms is zero. There is no union activity or strength in Osceola.
The win/loss ratio of union elections is 0-3. The last union election was in 1983 and the employees overwhelmingly voted against the union. Because of the excellent relationships between management and labor, as well as the outstanding work ethic of the local labor force, Osceola industries do not experience work stoppages.
In an effort to upgrade the skills of the existing and potential workforce of the county, Arkansas Northeastern College (ANC), through the Solutions Group, offers custom-designed training to business and industry. The following is a list of skills training offered through the Institute (this list is by no means all inclusive-many other types of training can be created and delivered by request):
- Technical Writing
- Problem Solving
- Conflict Resolution
- Computer Software Training
- Computer Consultation
- Time/Project Management
- Technical Math
- Teambuilding Interpersonal Communication
- ISO 9000
- Total Quality Management
- Supervision/Leadership.
The Institute's programs are not "canned" - instead, each training program is planned jointly with each industry to meet its needs and specifications. The Institutes's staff by positions devoted to service to the local industries and businesses. Additionally, other ANC faculty and staff, as well as outside partners, are available for special projects.
Arkansas Northeastern College, Burdette (10 miles to the north) provides complementary technical training to local industries. Among the technical training programs available at ANC, Burdette are Machine Trades, Blueprint Reading, CAD/CAM, Industrial Electronics, and Welding. ANC, Burdette can also design training on a custom basis.
In late 1994, local industry managers teamed with ANC to develop the Workforce Orientation & Retraining Keys (WORK) program to prepare persons entering or reentering the workforce for industrial jobs. This seven-week program designed by and for the local industries covers such topics as workplace ethics, interpersonal skills, team theory problem solving, quality, and safety. In order to be certified through the program, participants must pass an industry-approved competency exam as well as meet strict attendance and tardiness guidelines. An advanced version of WORK, WORK II, has also been developed and is targeted toward the existing workforce as an employee development training program. WORK II (Twelve weeks in length) covers topics such as advanced problem solving, self-direction, industrial psychology, conflict resolution, leadership quality, and safety.
For a new or expanding industry, training funds are made available through the Arkansas Department of Economic Development. Pre-employment application procedures, screening, and company specific training can be provided through this program by a subject industry's own personnel and/or outside service providers, such as Arkansas Northeastern College, at little or no cost to the industry. Additionally, many costs, such as newspaper ads, training facilities, and `Train-the Trainer' expenses, can be covered through this program. The pre-employment training is tailored to meet each industry's requirement through this program. The pre-employment training is tailored to meet each industry's requirements. Training incentives are also available under the Arkansas Department of Economic Development's On-the-Job Training Program after plant start-up.
In July 1995, a new program known as the Existing Workforce Training Program or "Training Arkansas" was created to provide financial assistance to Arkansas' manufacturing industries for upgrading the skills of their existing workforce. This skills upgrade is defined as instruction conducted in a classroom environment, at a worksite, an educational institution, or at a neutral location, that provides an existing, full-time employee with the new skills necessary to enhance productivity, improve performance, and/or retain employment. The types of skills upgrade targeted by Training Arkansas are new or altered technologies, management/supervisory systems, management/supervisory systems, continuous quality improvement initiatives, improved production methods, and other skills necessary by Arkansas companies to keep them competitive, productive, and economically viable. Under this program, up to 70% of a company's training cost can be reimbursed by the state, especially when the company utilizes a state institution of higher education, such as Arkansas Northeastern College, as opposed to an outside contractor.
* Source: Labor Market Information for Arkansas Counties, July 2004
** Source: Arkansas Employment Security Department, Covered Employment and Earnings Report, 3rd Quarter 2002
