Alabama Economic Data Available Through User-Friendly Labor Market Tutorial

A free, online, user-friendly course relative to comprehensive Alabama economic data is accessible through the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations’ Labor Market Information (LMI) Web site: http://dir.alabama.gov/lmi .

“Alabama LMI Tutorial: Better Informed Decision Making through New Tools and Techniques” offers economic developers, state and county officials, educators, students, jobseekers and others the means to learn how to locate, analyze, and adapt Alabama-specific workforce information using a variety of workforce and economic intelligence Web site sources. The broad data available includes key industries, top occupations, and socio-demographic conditions.

Requirements for the course are speakers to hear audio, “Adobe Acrobat Reader,” and “Adobe Flash Player.” The tutorial advances automatically, however, users have the option of manual control of the presentation. Next to each slide is a sidebar with the name of the presentation and outline, notes, and search pane.

The tutorial uses voice instructions to guide participants in working at their own pace to reach the objectives of six different “modules.” Among those objectives are: identifying the metropolitan statistical areas and workforce information areas within the State of Alabama; using Business Employment Dynamics to identify national industries that are expanding (or opening) and contracting (or closing); understanding the demographics of workers in various industries; using the America’s Career Information Network; locating and analyzing employment, earnings and unemployment data for Alabama and its various labor markets; and using federal and private databases to help paint the picture of a local economy and local community. The audio text of all instructions may also be accessed.

There is no time limit and an unlimited number of attempts to achieve the tutorial passing score of 90 percent. Once the tutorial is successfully completed, an online Certificate of Completion may be printed. For questions regarding the tutorial, contact Tammy Jenkins, LMI, Tammy.Jenkins@dir.alabama.gov; or 334-242-8861.