Labor Force
A High Quality Workforce
One of Bremer County’s most valuable assets is its high quality work force. The knowledge, skills and work ethic of its labor force is a tremendous advantage to employers and businesses in the area. Employers benefit from the highly productive and dedicated individuals who exemplify the work ethic of the Midwest.
An Abundant Workforce
Bremer County benefits from a population of over 240,000 within a 45 minute commuting radius, setting the stage for a generous and diverse pool of available labor.
An Educated Workforce
Over 2/3 (68.7%) of the employed residents in the laborshed area have some level of education/training beyond high school: · Trade Certified – 6.3%
Vocational Training – 2.1%
Associate Degree – 14.6%
Undergraduate Degree – 23.2%
Postgraduate/Professional Degree – 9.5%
A Low Unemployment Rate
Historical unemployment rates for Bremer County are as follows: 2008 3.3%
2007 3.2%
2006 3.3%
As described in a recent laborshed report, the unemployed sector of Bremer County is considered to be an excellent pool of available labor committed to returning to work, and offering a variety of past work experiences to apply to new employment opportunities.
Laborshed Analysis
The following Laborshed Analysis, conducted for the Waverly area in March 2008 by Iowa Workforce Development, addresses underemployment, the availability and willingness of current and prospective employees to change employment within the workforce, current and desired occupations, wages, hours worked, and distance willing to commute to work. A Laborshed Analysis was also completed for the Cedar Valley Region, as well as a Fringe Benefit Study which provides a detailed analysis of employer-provided benefits in a 6-county region which includes Bremer County.
To view the Laborshed Report for the Waverly area, please click on the following link:
Laborshed Report (Waverly)
To view the Laborshed Report for the Cedar Valley Region, please click on the following link:
Laborshed Report (Cedar Valley Region)
To view the Fringe Benefit Study for the Cedar Valley Region, please click on the following link:
Fringe Benefit Study (Cedar Valley Region) |
