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Go Global NC: Studying Ways to Enable more NC Women to Participate in State's Workforce

North Carolina
Women’s participation in the North Carolina workforce has stalled, preventing much needed economic growth. In fact, NC can grow its gross domestic product by nearly 12 percent if more women are enabled to enter and remain in the workforce, according to McKinsey Global Institute estimates. But how do we accomplish that goal? One way is to look at other countries that have had success and see what might work here. This September, Go Global NC is taking 20 business, civic and community leaders to Germany to see how that country encourages high participation from a skilled workforce throug…

Low Unemployment Leaves States Competing for Talent

Trends
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor announced that for the first time in 20 years, there are more job openings than people looking for work. Because of this trend, states (including North Carolina) are battling to attract talented workers to help fill vacant jobs or to meet demand from companies who want states to provide a qualified workforce from which they can draw. Thanks to national data and our own research, we know that family-friendly business practices are a key way to attract and retain top talent.  And economic development specialists agree. Earlier this year, we spoke with Nap…

National Workforce Report: Triangle, Charlotte Facing Skills Gap Despite Population Increases

National, North Carolina, Trends
Despite rapid population growth, the Triangle and Charlotte have a persistent skills gap that rank in the top 10 highest of the nation’s 50 largest cities, according to LinkedIn’s June Workforce report. The report, released today, shows that Raleigh-Durham (listed together for the report) has the 9th largest skills gap among the nation’s top 50 cities by population. Additionally, Raleigh-Durham has the 8th highest scarcity of skills, and Charlotte has the 10th highest scarcity of skills. These gaps persist despite the fact that Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte are am…

Fedweek: House DoD Bill Focuses on Hiring, Benefits, Work-Life Programs

National
A Department of Defense bill approved May 24 by the U.S. House orders a report on DoD’s use of telework and flexible work scheduling with a goal to expand these practices, according to a news report on Fedweek. Citing a report in the bill, the article says the Department of Defense is concerned that a “lack of professional flexibility in the civilian work force limits the ability of the Department of Defense and the military services to attract and retain highly trained mid-level career professionals. Family planning and an individual’s desire to further their education are two frequ…

Slate: Companies Must Address Child Care Needs to Stay Competitive

Trends
As more parents enter the workforce, the need to educate and care for our next generation of employees during their critical first 2,000 days is more important than ever, according to a May 7 Slate article. The good news: more employers are providing their employees with child care options, and they're noticing big benefits to their bottom line. 

Business Leaders Talk Family Friendly Benefits at Institute for Emerging Issues' Forum

North Carolina
Business leaders from across the state came together February 6 at the Institute for Emerging Issues' kidoNomiCs forum to share their experiences incorporating family-friendly practices into their own business and to share Family Forward NC's new research, which shows that both North Carolina employers and employees see great value in deepening family-friendly business practices.