With the expectation of significant economic growth in the next couple years, the Tulsa Regional Chamber kicks off a 16 week labor study.
The study will look at areas ranging from commute times to the gap between education and industry. Zac Carman is CEO of product review company Consumer Affairs, which he says grew from three employees to 230 after relocating here.
"Tulsa's a gem, and there are a lot of strengths in the workforce," Carman said. "And I'm really excited about the work that we're about to do ... because it's going to help articulate those strengths to additional employers."
The study by Site Selection Group of Dallas will combine statistics with data from surveys to evaluate the 11 county region. Josh Bays with Site Selection Group said the study will also consider underemployment and what he calls the hidden labor force.
"That labor force that might not be actively pursuing work opportunities at the moment but are something that companies can continue to tap," Bays said
Kyle Smith with Workforce Tulsa said the study will help guide their efforts to connect the right employers with the right workers.
"So that we're providing the type of training that employers want but also the type of training that our residents of the Tulsa area can use to impact their lives," Smith said. "A lot of times, we do see a lot of underemployed participants."
The chamber encourages employers and workers to take online surveys for the study.
