Many of the news stories on job losses/job creation/unemployment state that small businesses, led by start-ups, generate over 50% of new jobs in the economy.  An article in the Wall Street Journal (9/15/2011) quotes the Small Business Administration as saying that 65% of new jobs over the last 17 years were due to small employers.
That same article “With New Technology, Start-ups Go Lean”, says that the number of workers needed to launch a new company has decreased by almost half in the past decade.  Start-ups are being launched with an average of 4.9 employees vs. the 7.5 workers in the 1990s.  At the same time, the number of start-ups has held steady, or even showed a slight increase since the recession, according to a study by the Kauffman Foundation.  This factor can have a huge impact on overall job recovery.
Efficiency is a good thing, but how do they do it?  As it turns out, using Web-based business tools, and working with contract developers/workers online has reduced the need for bodies in the company. The availability of web-based collaborative tools allows disparate groups to work together on projects, and eliminates the need for a large staff. 
One thing occurs to me – maybe the start-up or small business doesn’t add to its staff, but the work (managing the projects, ordering supplies, keeping financial records, etc) still needs to be done.   Someone outside the company is getting paid for providing these services in another setting.  Whereas the work may be done more efficiently, we still have a job opportunity for some bright soul.  It might be interesting to compare costs for outside services and support between today’s start-up and the earlier versions. 
Sadly there’s one part of this story that doesn’t help our jobs picture – the ease of collaboration with overseas talent.  Good for keeping costs down, but not so good for the job market either. 
In the meantime, the really good news is that start-ups are continuing to launch at a steady rate, and our innovative talent is still at work.  Keep up the good work!

Tags: change management, Hiring Trends, industry news, recruiting, technical jobs

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) received an individual State Labor Market Information Improvement Grant, in the amount of $1,250,000, to gather information on employers and opportunities in New Mexico in four key sectors:
* Renewable Energy;
* Green Clean Manufacturing;
* Energy Efficiency; and
* Research, Development, and Administration.

Research is being conducted by the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University. ER&A will conduct an educational inventory with the assistance of the New Mexico Public Education and Higher Education Departments. Ultimately, survey results and data will be provided to job seekers, educational institutions, business communities, and state agencies to help guide the State Energy Sector Partnership and Training grant efforts. (see below)
Another goal of the grant is development of the Mobile Green Jobs Workforce Center (MGJWC), whereby job seekers will have access to new computer workstations, software, and online services resulting from the Grant research utilizing this new resource. The MGJWC will be more responsive to the targeted population needs by making resources available to job seekers in all areas and communities with the most need, such as the state’s rural population, isolated Native American tribal areas, and other underserved communities. The MGJWC can also serve as a training center to promote workforce information and other topics at mass layoff rapid response locations around the state. All the data collected and outlined under this Grant will provide essential information to help stimulate the growth of New Mexico’s new green economy and help fill the job market void left by recent business contractions and closures.

State Energy Sector Partnership Program
The goal is to establish a statewide approach to job seeker training in renewable energy/energy efficiency occupations in solar, wind, green building/energy efficiency and biofuels.  These are identified as sectors active in the State with a potential for job opportunities in the future.  The oversight council, a subcommitte of the State Workforce Board will work to identify industry needs and job opportunities to make sure that training matches with the sector needs.
To be eligible for training candidates must be over 18 and 1) have a Social Security number, 2) have the right to work in the U.S., and 3) comply with Selective Service registration requirements (for males)
AND
Be included in one or more of the following groups:
1. An incumbent (currently employed) worker in need of skills upgrades for a solar, wind, biofuels, green building/energy efficiency green job;
2. A displaced (currently unemployed) worker ;
3. A woman;
4. A veteran or qualified spouses of a veteran;
5. A high school dropout; and/or
6. meet low-income eligibility guidelines.
To apply for this program complete the SESP training pre-application, available at the project website, www.greenjobs.state.nm.us,  and take it to your local Workforce Connection Center. Your nearest Workforce Connection Center can be found by visiting http://www.dws.state.nm.us/dws-offices.html.

Tags: industry news, job seeker, retraining, technical jobs

As most economic writers will tell you, it is the small business sector in our country that adds the most jobs to our economy.  As a matter of fact large businesses (over 500 employees) have reduced the number of employees significantly in the last few years.  Thus job seekers are feeling the pinch as new business startup statistics are the lowest since the 1990s. 
An article in USA Today Small Business provided a summary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  For the 12 months ending in March 2010 there were 505,000 new business startups – the weakest growth since the bureau started tracking this stat in the 1990s.  Other publications have tracked current trends and say the outlook is not very rosy (National Federation of Independent Business).  After steady increases through early February, the optimism index dipped for March and April of this year. 
The lack of new business is attributed by many to the lack of consumer spending.  Sales trends are down, and there is a lot of uncertainty about what is next.  Also companies are worried about what will happen in the next year in U.S. Government. 
This news impacts our unemployment issues. National unemployment statistics hover at 9%, and an article in the Financial Times said that the “basic unemployment” percent (people between jobs or permanently unemployed) may not ever get back down to the 3% level we’ve held for years.  For every “opportunity” for growth in an industry there is a balancing economic factor that may dampen that growth. One example was the optimistic view that companies might move manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. because of rising costs overseas.  The pessimistic view is that these same companies will adopt more technologies that would replace these very jobs! 
There is an interesting factor in all this news.  Technology companies (mostly small businesses) and technology jobs continue to make gains, and there are jobs going begging.  The reason – the workforce lacks the skills to fill these positions.  One article talked about the loss of jobs in the construction sector, and the need for trained workers in the healthcare industry…and these skills don’t cross over.  There are also jobs to be had in IT, and even in skilled manufacturing. 
There is no easy answer to the problem.  There is hope for the job seeker with technology or IT skills, but it will require time and patience to find the best match.  Keep hunting!

Tags: hiring process, Hiring Trends, industry news, job seeker attitudes, retraining, technical jobs

The spring Tech2 Virtual Job fair begins next week (May 2-6) so don’t forget to visit online.  This is one job fair you can attend from home or anywhere.  Just go to www.nmvirtualjobfair.com Monday morning and see the current list of companies and opportunities. 
This is a time when job seekers should take advantage of whatever opportunities arise, and technology companies are hiring.  The jobs are mainly high tech, but there are also business and leadership opportunities available.  Make sure your resume meets the suggested requirements for the job, and is clear and concise.  Find something you are interested in and post away!
For those of you who do “attend” we would like to get your feedback on the site and the event.  Let us know if you found what you were looking for.  Send comments to the Contact link on the site.  See you there!

Tags: applications, hiring talent, job seeker, recruiting, technical jobs

The next Tech2 Virtual Job Fair (www.nmvirtualjobfair.com) has been scheduled for May 2-6, 2011, and you will want to participate.  This fair is provided as a free service to technology companies in New Mexico, and features some of our best and brightest in the tech industry.  It is sponsored by Technology Ventures Corporation and the NM WIRED Project.  There are quality opportunities both in tech and administrative areas, and they are real jobs! 
The winter Tech2 fair hosted 17 technology-based employers and listed over 60 job opportunities.  Employers were well pleased with the quality of the applicants.
One of the benefits of this fair is that candidates get focused attention from the recruiters and no one has to stand in line (or sit in a booth) for hours.  We get the word out throughout the community and region to give all interested parties a chance to participate.  The website and process are very straightforward and give a great overview of what’s happening in the New Mexico tech industry.
Be sure to participate.  Employers can sign up now by visiting the job fair site and clicking on “contact”.  Candidates will be able to participate during the fair.  See you there!

Tags: job fair, technical jobs