Maury Alliance engaged Boyette Strategic Advisors in 2020 to complete a workforce assessment and alignment process to ensure that workforce resources are used efficiently and effectively to provide a future talent pipeline for Maury County employers.

The ultimate goal of the project was to create a thoughtfully developed local delivery system that maximizes resources and results in a more highly skilled, competitive workforce.

Through analyzing a 60-minute drive time from Maury County and zip code data provided by Maury County employers, a nine-county Labor Market Area was defined to include Davidson, Giles, Hickman, Lawrence, Lewis, Marshall, Maury, Rutherford, and Williamson Counties.

Identify training program gaps.

Assess talent & skills demand for existing employers and potential growth sectors.

Ensure a diverse workforce that supports business recruitment.

Strengthen relationships between employers & workforce partners.

Align workforce resources with skills & occupational demand.

Create on-going task force to convene around workforce opportunities and challenges.

The extensive data reviewed for this alignment study has led to identification of important workforce assets across the Maury Labor Market Area, as well as challenges and opportunities to enhance the workforce to better meet the demands of current and future employers. Data points were further validated through in-depth stakeholder engagement with residents/job seekers, employers, students, and partners in Maury County. Key findings from this research included the following:

1 - Employers are generally very satisfied with workforce skills found in Maury County, with 70 percent of employers being satisfied or very satisfied with the employees they hire in Maury County.

2 - While employers believe the cost of labor is about right or less expensive compared to quality, availability is an issue for many.

3 - Both total population and labor force continue to grow in the nine-county labor market region.

4 - Perceptions about careers in manufacturing and the skilled trades are somewhat negative, particularly among students

5 - Opportunities exist to strengthen relationships between employers and educators

6 - Barriers to employment are limited in the region, with childcare presenting the greatest challenge to employment for residents

7 - There are opportunities for better alignment of CTE courses at the high school level with compatible programs at CSCC and the TCATs, particularly related to manufacturing and information technology

8 - While a lack of attainable housing is often cited as a workforce issue, that is not the case in Maury County, where a significant number of new homes are under development and where available housing currently matches the needs of families living in or considering a move to the region