Workforce Shortage
Sheridan County has a low unemployment rate (under 3 percent), and hundreds of jobs remain unfilled. The County is perceived as being geographically isolated and remote. Thousands of County residents are of working age but remain unemployed or underemployed.
Workforce Shortage Remediation Goal:
Increase the County's workforce and create a process to ensure a sustainable workforce into the future.
Workforce Shortage Initiative 1:
Utilize Sheridan County's mature workers. Encourage retired workers who want to return to work either full or part-time. Encourage companies to hire mature workers.
Collaborative Partners:
Sheridan County Senior Citizens Center, American Association of Retired Persons, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: March 2007
Complete: December 2008
Workforce Shortage Initiative 2:
Transition military service people into the civilian workforce. Visit targeted military bases to recruit military personnel and their spouses who grew up or have lived in Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, Colorado or Nebraska.
Collaborative Partners:
Sheridan Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Managers (SHRM), Sheridan VA Medical Center, Sheridan County businesses, Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Wyoming Business Council (Human Resources Department), Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, consulting firms that specialize in military-to-civilian transitions, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: March 2007
Complete: December 2008
Workforce Shortage Initiative 3:
Provide career/technical trades training for high school youth who do not plan to attend college, so they will be ready for employment upon graduation. Establish a separate task force to achieve this goal.
Collaborative Partners:
Career/technical instructors at Sheridan County's five high schools, affected local businesses, Sheridan College I-TEC program, Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: October 2006
Complete: August 2009
Workforce Shortage Initiative 4:
Ensure that the central repository for employment opportunities and available candidates is used to its best advantage for the business community by working to establish a single database or to connect existing databases. Measure and monitor successful placements to maximize effectiveness of database.
Collaborative Partners:
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Society of Human Resource Managers, Sheridan Senior Citizens Center, local businesses, and Forward Sheridan.
Start: March 2007
Complete: December 2008
Click here to view the entire Economic Development Strategic Plan for Sheridan County, Wyoming.