The National LMI Infrastructure

The national labor market information (LMI) infrastructure is a system comprised of all LMI data producers, including public, non-profit, and for-profit entities, and all users of LMI data. Click here to learn more about what constitutes LMI data.

Federal-State Labor Market Information (LMI) Infrastructure

Hover over any of the acronyms or initialisms for the full name of the organization.

BLS  State  LMI Offices ETA 310,30 BLOC WIAC  Policy Councils NASWA  LMI Institute LED PMP ARC COS O*NET LEWIS LMI Customers Partner Organizations Data Producers & Disseminators LMI System Supports Key Stakeholders Working Relationship Financial Transaction

The Federal-State LMI Infrastructure is a network of federal and state agencies, which directly or indirectly (through funding other entities) generate LMI data. These agencies are supported by a variety of LMI System Support organizations and programs. Some of these organizations and programs are federally funded, while others are funded in-full or in-part by state LMI offices.

The diagram above represents all of the agencies, organizations, and programs, and the connections between them, that make up the Federal-State LMI Infrastructure. Additional partner organizations and LMI customers are also depicted.

Descriptions of the primary roles of each entity in the Federal-State LMI Infrastructure are provided below:

Data Producers and Disseminators

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

http://www.bls.gov/
Housed within the U.S. Department of Labor, the BLS:

  • Produces, analyzes, and delivers national, state, and local labor statistics, in cooperation with state LMI agencies.
  • Oversees data standards and processes for LMI cooperative statistical programs that make up the national LMI infrastructure.
  • Provides technical assistance to PMP.

State LMI Offices

http://www.lmiontheweb.org/directory/
Housed within different government departments, depending on a state’s organizational structure, state LMI offices:

  • Produce, analyze, and deliver state and local labor statistics, in cooperation with and under the guidance of BLS and ETA.
  • Provide state and localized data to state and local customers.
  • Provide subject matter expertise and coordination for other entities comprising the national LMI infrastructure (e.g. ARC, LEWIS, and PMP).

Employment and Training Administration (ETA)

http://www.doleta.gov/
Housed within the U.S. Department of Labor, the ETA:

  • Provides Workforce Information Grants (WIGs) for states, ARC, LEWIS, and PMP.
  • Supplies workforce development products (O*NET, my Skills my Future, and WorkforceGPS).

Census Local Employment Dynamics (LED)

http://lehd.ces.census.gov/
Developed and managed by the U.S. Census Bureau, LED:

  • Provides quarterly workforce indicators.
  • Supplies the OnTheMap workforce development product.

CareerOneStop

https://www.careeronestop.org/
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop provides:

  • Career planning tools, including career assessment and information, and links to training resources
  • Job search help, including job postings and links to local agencies and organizations

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

http://www.onetonline.org/
Developed and managed by the ETA, O*NET is:

  • A national database of occupational information, containing information on hundreds of standardized and occupation-specific descriptors.
  • Provides interactive tools for exploring and searching occupations, as well as assessment instruments for workers and students looking to find or change careers.

LMI System Supports

BLS Labor Market Information Oversight Council (BLOC)

http://www.bls.gov/bls/bloc_charter.htm
The BLOC is a federal-state partnership that:

  • Develops strategic plans for the BLS federal-state cooperative programs and provides governance for BLS Policy Councils.
  • Obtains program input from and disperses program information to BLS state partners.
  • Serves as a communication conduit to ensure that state concerns are heard at the federal level and that program information is dispersed to all states.
  • Explores expanded use of LMI data, conducts customer outreach, and liaises with other entities, including the WIAC.

Workforce Information Advisory Committee (WIAC)

https://www.doleta.gov/wioa/wiac/
The WIAC is a Federal Advisory Committee established by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, which is comprised of 14 representatives of different data producer and user groups that:

  • Provide guidance to the U.S. Secretary of Labor on the evaluation and improvement of the nationwide workforce and LMI infrastructure and statewide systems that comprise the national infrastructure.
  • Advise on how the U.S. Department of Labor and the states will cooperate in the management of workforce and LMI systems.

Policy Councils

Managed by the BLOC, Policy Councils:

  • Provide guidance to the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Occupational Employment Statistics (OES), Current Employment Statistics (CES), and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS) programs.

National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA) LMI Committee

https://www.naswa.org/committees/
A committee of state LMI office leaders that:

  • Conducts advocacy work on behalf of state LMI agencies.

LMI Institute

http://www.lmiontheweb.org
A non-profit membership network of state LMI offices and LMI professionals that:

  • Develops and delivers technical training courses and webinars.
  • Conducts research for state LMI offices and other entities comprising the national LMI infrastructure.
  • Provides management, staffing, and coordination services for entities comprising the national LMI infrastructure (e.g. PMP).
  • Facilitates partnerships between state LMI offices, federal agencies, and other national associations.
  • Serves as training partner for Census LED and PMP.

Projections Managing Partnership (PMP)

https://support.projectionscentral.com/
A national consortium of states, funded by the ETA, that:

  • Maintains the Projections Suite software.
  • Provides training and technical assistance on industry and occupation projections.

Analyst Resource Center (ARC)

http://www.workforceinfodb.org/
A consortium of states, funded by the ETA, that:

  • Oversees maintenance of the Workforce Information Database.
  • Oversees the Employer Database.
  • Oversees maintenance of LEWIS.

Local Employment and Wage Information System (LEWIS)

A system that uses occupational employment data to:

  • Generate localized LMI data and updates wage estimates.

LMI Customers

The typical LMI customer groups have distinct and specific LMI needs.

Jobseekers and Students include customers who seek a job, whether they are currently employed or not, as well as the children and young adults that will eventually become part of the workforce.

Businesses include any individual or organization that requires labor to operate.

Education and Training Instructors and Counselors include individuals or agencies that directly interact with learners through structured educational or skill building opportunities.

Workforce Development includes state and local workforce agencies, which are collaborations of employers, policymakers, and community organizations, that seek to connect companies in need of talent with qualified workers. Workforce development entities interact with both jobseekers and businesses.

Economic Development includes government agencies and nonprofit organizations of varying structures that seek to promote business development opportunities and the implementation of policies that support the development of state and local economies.

Education includes policymaking agents and program designers who influence the development of national, state, and local policies that drive education and training offerings and resource allocations. This group of education customers drives policy design and decision making.

Researchers include individuals engaged in research activities through academic institutions, think tanks, or other independent contracting entities.

Federal, State, and Local Governments include all government agencies.

Internal Customers include LMI analysts and other LMI leadership who seek to improve the development and functioning of the state and national LMI system.

Media includes any member of the accredited media and individuals independently reporting on facts and events through social media or other online dissemination tools. The media uses the data to tell stories.

Commercial Data Providers include any third party entity that repurposes LMI data and disseminates it to paying customers.

Partner Organizations

The is a large network of organizations that provides further support for the improvement of LMI data on behalf of the National LMI Infrastructure and its customers. Some of these organizations include:

Associations and Nonprofits

American Economic Association (AEA)
Professional society promoting the encouragement of economic research, especially the historical and statistical study of the actual conditions of industrial life. Publishes the American Economic Review.

American Statistical Association (ASA)
The American Statistical Association is the world’s largest community of statisticians, supporting the development, application, and dissemination of statistical science.

Association for University Business and Economic Research (AUBER)
The professional association of business and economic research organizations in public/private universities.

Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER)
Membership organization that promotes excellence in community and economic research by working to improve data availability, enhance data quality, and foster learning about regional economic analytic methods.

Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC)
Nonprofit organization that provide leaders with research, analysis, and technical assistance for creating economic strategies. Manages a number of networks, including C2ER, LMI Institute, and the Association of Public Data Users (APDU).

International Association of Workforce Professionals (IAWP)
Worldwide educational association for members who work in public and private workforce development programs. Provides its members with training and learning opportunities to help them better serve their customers.

Jobs for the Future (JFF)
Nonprofit organization that works with program partners to design and drive adoption of education and career pathways, leading from college readiness to career advancement for those struggling to succeed in today’s economy.

National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA)
An organization of state administrators of unemployment insurance laws, employment services, training programs, employment statistics and labor market information.

National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB)
Represents workforce investment boards (WIBs) and their business members, helping them coordinate and leverage workforce strategies with education and economic development stakeholders within their local communities, to ensure that state and local workforce development and job training programs meet the needs of employers.

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)
Professional organization that represents individuals who work in workforce development, career development, employment and training, and economic development fields.

National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER)
Private, nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of how the economy works. The NBER is committed to undertaking and disseminating unbiased economic research among public policymakers, business professionals, and the academic community.

National Career Development Association (NCDA)
The first, longest running, and preeminent career development association in the world. A founding division of the American Counseling Association (ACA), NCDA is the recognized leader in developing standards for the career development profession, for the provision of career counseling programs and services, and for the evaluation of career information materials.

National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE)
A national forum for administrators and faculty in workforce education and basic skills, as well as representatives of business, labor, military, and government. Influences and directs the future role of two-year and other post-secondary institutions in workforce education and economic development. An affiliate council of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

National Governors Association (NGA)
The bipartisan organization of the nation’s governors. Through NGA, governors share best practices, speak with a collective voice on national policy, and develop innovative solutions that improve state government and support the principles of federalism.

National Skills Coalition (NSC)
Member-based nonprofit that organizes broad-based coalitions from business, labor, community colleges, community-based organizations, and the public workforce system. The NSC advocates for raising the skills of America’s workers across a range of industries.

National Workforce Association (NWA)
Membership organization of directors and staff of workforce investment areas, one-stop centers, service providers, educational institutions and state associations representing workforce professionals and corporations. Dedicated to strengthening the nation’s workforce development system. Affiliated with National Association of Counties (NACo).

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
The world’s largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession.

W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research
A non-profit, non-partisan research organization that researches the causes and consequences of unemployment, experimenting with innovative ways to help the unemployed, and disseminating research findings.

Workforce Data Quality Campaign (WDQC)
A non-profit, non-partisan initiative that advocates for inclusive, aligned, and market-relevant data systems used for advancing the nation’s skilled workforce and helping U.S. industries compete.

Government

Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Department of Commerce
Promotes a better understanding of the U.S. economy by providing the most timely, relevant, and accurate economic accounts data in an objective and cost-effective manner.

Economic Development Administration (EDA), Department of Commerce
The only federal government agency focused exclusively on economic development. Leads the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy.

Economics and Statistics Administration (ESA), Department of Commerce
Provides timely economic analysis, disseminates national economic indicators, and oversees the Census Bureau and the Bureau of Economic Analysis. ESA’s economists and analysts produce in-depth reports, fact sheets, and briefings on policy issues and current economic events.

National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Department of Education
The primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data related to education in the U.S. and other nations.

Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Executive Office of the President
The largest component of the Executive Office of the President. It reports directly to the President and helps a wide range of executive departments and agencies across the federal government implement the commitments and priorities of the President.

Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE), Department of Education
Administers and coordinates programs that are related to adult education and literacy, career and technical education, and community colleges.

Multi-Agency and Collaboratives

National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth
Composed of partners with expertise in disability, education, employment, and workforce development issues. The collaborative assists state and local workforce development systems integrate youth with disabilities into their service strategies, and it is housed at the Institute for Educational Leadership (IEL).

Universities

Center on Education and the Workforce, Georgetown University
An independent, non-profit research and policy institute affiliated with the Georgetown McCourt School of Public Policy that studies the link between education, career qualifications, and workforce demands.

The Jacob France Institute, University of Baltimore
A university research institute that provides statistical information and research covering the interaction of business, worker, and government investment decisions.

John. J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Rutgers University
A research and policy center based at the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, which is dedicated to raising the effectiveness of the American workplace by strengthening workforce education, placement, and training programs and policies.

NYC Labor Market Information Service, Center for Urban Research, City University of New York
A research office whose mission is to help philanthropy and education and workforce providers and policy makers make data-driven decisions based on an accurate understanding of the labor market so that they can better help their customers and constituents achieve success.

LMI Customers and Most Commonly Used Products

 Labor Market  Participants & Advisors Businesses  Jobseekers & Students  Instructors & Counselors Real-Time Data  Wage Data & Benefit Studies Job Matching  Occupation Outlook  Teacher's Guides & Career Guides  Policymakers & Planners Education  Workforce  Development;  Economic  Development;  Researchers; Government  Career  Exploration Services  Industry &  Occupation Profiles  Target &  In-Demand Occupations  Industry & Cluster Studies  Economic Analysis & Profiles  UI Claimants Report  Data Disseminators Media  Commercial Data Providers LEGEND Customers Labor Market Oriented Products Career Oriented Products Career/Economy Oriented Products Economy Oriented Products

Source: “Labor Market Information Customers and Their Needs: Customer-Oriented LMI Product Innovation.” Customer Consultation Study Group of the Workforce Information Council, 2012

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) calls for labor market information to be used to:

  • Ensure that programming and training are aligned with in-demand occupations and industries;
  • Incorporate state and local workforce and economic information into strategic planning documents; and
  • Embed state and local workforce and economic information in program and system evaluation efforts