The Next Generation of Labor in Rural, Resource-Rich Places: Forestry Needs and Youth Aspirations

A combination of youth out-migration and lack of in-migration have led to an aging workforce and population decline in resource-dependent communities, while simultaneously declines in pulp and paper demand and biomass utilization have had negative impacts on the perceived future of the once-dominant forest products industry. These changes may increase uncertainty as to the availability and training of the next generation of workers and rural community residents. While many studies have explored the effects that these changes have on adult populations, little attention has been paid to how local labor markets and perceptions of future opportunities influence the next generation of workers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. This research illuminates the relationships between employer educational needs, community characteristics, current student skills, and young people’s aspirations in traditionally forest-dependent communities through the delivery of surveys to middle and high school students, college students, and forestry employers in northern Maine and coastal Oregon. Possible education gaps between employers and current students were assessed in soft skills, knowledge skills, technical skills, and work culture domains. To further our understanding of rural youth educational and residential aspirations, the potential impact of the educational system, local economy, and community were investigated

North Bend High School (OR)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 7–12 at North Bend High School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in May 2019. Participation was voluntary. North Bend High School had 772 students during 2018–2019, 260 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 34%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Sedomocha Middle School (ME)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 6–8 in SeDoMoCha Middle School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. SeDoMoCha Middle School had 242 students during 2018-2019, 199 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 82%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question; middle schoolers had fewer questions to answer. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Marshfield High School (OR)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 8–12 in Marshfield High School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in April 2019. Participation was voluntary. Marshfield High School had 1,000 students during 2018-2019, 400 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 40%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Powers Jr./Sr. High School (OR)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 7–12 at Powers Jr./Sr. High School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. Powers Jr./Sr. High School had 50 students during 2018–2019, 27 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 54%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Piscataquis Community High School (ME)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 9–12 at Piscataquis Community High School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. Piscataquis Community High School had 120 students during 2018–2019, 120 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 100%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Greenville Consolidated School (ME)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 6–12 at Greenville Consolidated School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. Greenville Consolidated School had 106 students in these grades during 2018-2019, 94 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 88%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Piscataquis & N. Somerset Counties (ME)

With permission from school principals, students at 5 schools in Piscataquis and N. Somerset Counties in Maine were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey between February and May, 2019. Participation was voluntary. The schools had a combined 666 students enrolled during 2018–2019, 578 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 87%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Coos County (OR)

With permission from school principals, students at 7 schools in Coos County were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey between January and May in 2019. Participation was voluntary. The schools had a combined 2,902 students enrolled during 2018–2019, 1,332 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 46%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures

Penquis Valley School (ME)

With permission from the school principal, students in grades 6–12 at Penquis Valley School were given a link to an anonymous, electronic survey in February 2019. Participation was voluntary. Penquis Valley School had 130 students in these grades during 2018-2019, 103 of which took the survey for a participation rate of 79%. Every question was optional, so the number of responses varies by question. Fact sheets for all schools and each county are available online at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/rural_youth_futures