ICR Iowa to launch labor survey

ICR Iowa wants to know who's looking for work and where they're looking.

Later this month, the economic-development organization will mail a survey to employers in its seven-county region to learn how many employees they each have.

Once that count is tabulated, a residential telephone survey will conducted to gather details on workforce characteristics such as employment status and occupation.

The Laborshed surveys will be conducted by ICR IOWA along with Iowa Workforce Development and the Iowa Economic Development Authority.

The part of study that covers the ICR Iowa region is done about every two years, said Jennifer Daly, president and CEO of ICR Iowa, and this year will be paid for by the state.

The study 'is designed to help employers identify the available workforce,” Daly said.

The 'characteristics” will tell current and incoming employers where potential employees live, what wage and benefit levels they're seeking and where they look for work opportunities, she said.

The ICR Iowa region is made up of the counties of Linn, Johnson, Benton, Cedar, Jones, Iowa and Washington.

All Laborshed studies can be viewed at iowalmi.gov/laborshed.