New Certified Public Manager program

Over lunch I attended an open house for a new partnership between Maryland Nonprofits and the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore, the Maryland Certified Public Manager(CPM) program.

Starting in October, the CPM program is a leadership development program for public managers and supervisors. The program will offer "participants the opportunity to learn and practice the critical leadership skills and competencies necessary to effectively meet the complex demands and challenges in the 21st century public management environment."

The program is designed for people who are preparing to move into supervisory or management positions, those who want to update their skills, as well as managers and supervisors who have professional or technical training in another field but do not have formal management training. 

If you or your organization/agency are interested, applications are being accepted now through 5pm, August 2nd. The next informational session about the program will be held on July 26th from 9-11am at our offices at 1500 Union Ave. in Baltimore.

Metropolitan Employment

In other news, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released May data on metro area labor markets today.  The trends look better for Maryland than they have in the last few months, as all four metros experienced lower unemployment rates compared to May 2011 (BLS does not provide seasonally adjusted figures at the metro level, so comparing April to May is meaningless). Even Salisbury, which has seen higher rates on an annual basis until last month when it was stable, fell to 8.5 percent unemployment, compared to 8.9 percent 12 months prior.

Bill signing and unemployment

Governor O'Malley signed almost 300 bills into law this afternoon.  Media coverage focused on three environmental bills, the Sustainable Growth and Agricultural Preservation Act of 2012 (SB 236/HB 445), the expansion of the Bay Restoration Fund (HB 446/SB 240), and the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program (HB 987/SB 614).  The list also includes bills related to the health benefit exchange, electronic filing of tax credits, a foreclosed properties registry, recycling at large apartment buildings,and a host of other topics.

This morning the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released March employment figures for metropolitan statistical areas (MSA's).  There are four MSA's centered in Maryland: Baltimore-Towson, Cumberland, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, and Salisbury.  Maryland also includes portions of the DC and Philadelphia MSA's.  The unemployment rate improved compared to March 2011 for all but one of those areas (metro unemployment is not seasonally adjusted, so in order to compare like to like we have to look back 12 months).

Unemployment in the Salisbury MSA - which includes Somerset and Wicomico counties - was 9.3 percent in March 2011 and 2012.  The Salisbury MSA also has the highest unemployment rate of any region in MD. Employment in the Salisbury area is concentrated in education and healthcare, a relatively strong industry most of the country in recent years.  However, the region's next largest industries are wholesale and retail trade, construction, and hospitality, which have been more vulnerable during and after the Great Recession.

click on graph to enlarge

Groundhog Day: Labor Market Edition

Happy Groundhog Day!  While the groundhog predicted six more weeks of winter this morning, looking at the thermometer lately I have to imagine spring is just around the corner.  

But a groundhog’s shadow isn’t the only news we got this week.  New jobs numbers for Maryland highlight the need to prioritize investment in the building blocks of a strong economy, like quality schools, sound roads and bridges, and safe communities.  

Unemployment declined across Maryland in December, according to encouraging new numbers that the Bureau of Labor Statistics released yesterday.  The unemployment rate dropped in all four regions of the state -- Baltimore-Towson, Cumberland, Hagerstown-Martinsburg, and Salisbury -- compared to one year ago.*  

Metropolitan Unemployment Rate (not seasonally adjusted)	Dec 2010	Dec 2011	Change
Baltimore-Towson MSA	7.4%	6.8%	-0.6
Cumberland MSA	8.7%	8.0%	-0.7
Hagerstown-Martinsburg MSA	9.8%	8.3%	-1.5
Salisbury MSA	9.1%	8.6%	-0.5
Maryland	7.0%	6.5%	-0.5

Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that the labor market is headed for an early springtime, too.  Economists still see shadows cast by the housing market and Congressional gridlock, among other indicators, and are therefore predicting a continued slow economic recovery.  While the numbers released this week are good news, it is important to remember that these unemployment rates are still significantly higher than they were four years ago and mask local differences because they cover large geographic areas.  In reality, many Maryland communities continue to experience higher unemployment than these numbers suggest.    

Given the sluggish recovery, creating jobs by investing in schools, transportation, housing, public safety, and the environment is more important than ever. As Governor O’Malley emphasized yesterday in his State of the State address, returning Marylanders to work and helping those who are between jobs or otherwise struggling must be a top priority.  The governor’s proposed budget does just that, and the General Assembly should take the same approach.

* BLS uses a Census Bureau geography called “metropolitan statistical areas” (MSAs).  Baltimore-Towson MSA includes Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard, and Queen Anne’s counties.  Cumberland MSA includes Allegany County and Mineral County, WV.  Hagerstown-Martinsburg MSA includes Washington County and Berkeley and Morgan counties, WV.  Salisbury MSA includes Somerset and Wicomico counties.