Abstract
Unemployment, Labor Force Participation, Industry Location, and Workforce Development
Track: GIS for Administration, Planning and Policy
Author(s): J. M. (Mike) Pogodzinski, Richard Kos
This paper examines how enrollment at public community colleges in California is affected by local (county- and metropolitan-level) unemployment rates, labor force participation, and industry location. The effect on enrollment is broken down by age of the enrollees and by the location (zip code) in which the students reside over the period 2003-06.
The study also examines the role of community colleges in providing training in one particular industry: biotechnology [Lowe (2007)]. Using data provided by an industry association, the paper examines biotechnology-related programs provided by community colleges in California and the San Francisco Bay Area.
This paper uses more detailed and updated data about unemployment and labor force participation, the location and age distribution of community college enrollees, and industry structure and performance in the enrollees’ vicinity (zip code) than previous studies. It also uses more detailed data on biotechnology industry location, and specific programs to address biotech needs.
J. M. (Mike) Pogodzinski
Department of Economics (0114)
San Jose State University
1 Washington Square
San Jose , California 95192-0114
United States
Phone: 415-516-6144
E-mail: jmp@pogodzinski.net
Richard Kos
San Jose State University
Department of Urban and Regional Planning
San Jose , California 95192
United States
Phone: 5105045064
E-mail: rickkos@mindspring.com