Addressing Rural Workforce Challenges Is a Growing Priority
Running a business in a rural area comes with some wonderful perks, such as lower crime rates, beautiful scenery to enjoy, and a sense of community connection that differs from urban areas. However, it also comes with some unique challenges for workforce development. These can include a lack of access to broadband internet, rural “brain drain,” a lack of diversity, and limited access to educational advancement opportunities. Additionally, there may be challenges with community resources, such as transportation, childcare, health care, and housing. Although ever community is different, there are still best practices supported by research and demonstrated solutions that can be considered to support and enhance rural workforce.
There have been multiple research reports published on rural economies and workforce. In 2017, the Investing in America’s Workforce initiative held listening sessions and conducted extensive research. The focus of the initiative was to shed light on workforce challenges and opportunities, with rural issues included. The research identified stakeholder strategies to build stronger rural economies. Building off of the research and listening sessions from 2017, a 2019 report entitled Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas by Ashley Bozarth and Whitney Strifler, was published by the Federal Reserve.
Current Outlook
According to Strengthening Workforce Development in Rural Areas:
- One out of every four businesses located outside metro areas struggle to find qualified workers, compared with one out of six in metro areas.
- Adults 65 and older average 25% of rural populations, versus 19% in metro areas.
- White, non-Hispanic adults age 16 and older make up about 82% of the population in nonmetro areas, compared to 60% in metro areas.
- The vast majority of counties with persistent poverty, where more than 20% of the population has been living in poverty over the past 30 years, are located in nonmetro areas
- 40% of nonmetro renter households and 21% of nonmetro owner occupants spend more than 30% of their income on housing costs.
- 58% of rural census tracts in the U.S. have limited or no access to quality childcare.
- In rural areas, the overdose rate exceeded metropolitan rates in 2015.
- Rural residents comprise 57% of the population in neighborhoods with no broadband access, but only 15% of the country’s total population.
What You Can Do
To address rural workforce issues, companies need to be willing to think beyond their own needs by connecting and investing in their communities. One report encouraged companies to approach rural workforce development with a quasi-public good approach. The systemic challenges faced by rural business require a willingness to collaborate with key community stakeholders in a way that encompasses the five broadly categorized best practices below. These are robust strategies that require a community focus and long-term mindset. Organizations like economic development corporations or chambers of commerce often lead these initiatives. Lending your support, at whatever level you are able, will contribute to your community’s success and a stronger available workforce.
To learn some rural workforce strategies, click here to continue reading.
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