Workforce Innovations

Business Resources

Public Policy Institute Report – Poverty in California: Moving Beyond the Federal Measure

In its May 2006 publication entitled, "Poverty in California: Moving Beyond the Federal Measure," the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) reports that California has the third highest poverty ranking in the country (16.1 percent) behind only Washington, D.C. and New York.

These findings, based on a formula that takes into account housing costs, differ from federal poverty statistics. According to the report, 15 percent of Santa Clara County residents live in poverty (compared to 12 percent nationally). Three California counties – Monterey, San Francisco, and Los Angeles – have poverty rates comparable to some of the poorest counties in the country.

A San Jose Mercury News article about PPIC's report, published May 11, 2006, said "The study confirms what social workers and the working poor have known for years...Critics have long complained that the federal government uses an outdated formula to calculate the official poverty standard, which determines individual eligibility for welfare and other programs, and is also used by the federal government when it allocates money to state and local agencies."

Silicon Valley Leadership Group: CEO Business Climate Survey

The Silicon Valley Leadership Group's 2006 Business Climate Survey on business and living conditions in Silicon Valley included a number of findings that give insight into current perceptions of SVLG member companies about the Valley's conditions past, present and future. Among the findings:

There are some signs of economic improvement in the Valley in terms of added jobs, giving reason for cautious optimism for the coming year.

Among the challenges to Valley companies, housing costs stand well above all others, according to nearly nine of every ten employers; concerns about traffic congestion have increased markedly as well.

Compared to 2005, fewer members believe that statewide legislation is on the right track toward creating a healthy business economy.

Best Practice: Orienting Contingent Employees to Company Culture

In an article for the Staffing Industry Analysts, Inc. web site, the author of Best Practices: Temps Meet Company Culture asserts that orienting contingent workers can be worth the time it takes. She states that contingent or contract workers can work more efficiently and sometimes more productively if they understand what their role is and how the company works. Examples of best practice are given, including a mention of NOVA's orientation procedure for contingent employees.
Note: No-cost registration is required to access this article.

NOVA’s Workforce Review

The Workforce Review is a two-page fact sheet featuring data on labor force trends, including regional unemployment rate and change, specific labor force data for NOVA’s consortium of cities, and workforce reductions in the NOVA area.