JVS Tools and Contact Information

The following tools and resources have been developed by the National JVS Workgroup. This system requires expertise in the methods of economic statistics as well as access to confidential data on firms. For these reasons, it was developed for use by State LMI staff to satisfy the needs of their customers for information on occupations in demand, rather than for use by those customers themselves. To find out more about how to get job vacancy statistics for your state or local area, click here.

Survey Instrument

This instrument was initially adopted from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Job Vacancy Survey. Slightly modified versions of it have been field tested by Wisconsin and Minnesota. Colorado uses a similar instrument that has been modified for telephone data collection. Final revisions to the survey instrument were completed based on results compiled from cognitive interviews.

Sample Allocation and Selection Software

This software has been developed by the BLS specifically for the JVS Workgroup, but may be useful for other projects as well.

This software allows the user to:

• Import sample frame - EQUI file - plus user defined geography and/or population characteristics to assist in the allocation process, if desired.
• Specify scope (limit the scope of the survey by employer size, industry etc.) and stratify the population (by employer size, industry, ownership, geography).
• Specify number of sample units or target percent relative to standard error for the estimate of the population sampled.
• Other features - may define certainty units, set minimum and maximum sample in strata constraints.
• Uses Neyman method to select sample randomly.
• Operates on a PC platform using MS windows.
• Need BaseSAS vs. 6.12 or higher to run.
• SAS operates in background.
• Outputs EQUI formatted file plus a sample weights field, and a strata identifier.
• Writes a file describing sample that was selected.

A draft version of the JVSSASS Users Guide is available for download.

Data Entry and Editing Software

This data capture system, developed and field-tested by Minnesota for the Workgroup, provides the database structure for elements captured on the survey instrument and simplifies data entry and occupational coding.

The Data Capture System has been designed to:

• Be used with the survey instrument.
• Be stand-alone software (runs on multiple platforms for up to 200 users).
• Take the sample generated by the Sample Allocation and Selection Software and allow the user to enter survey data for that sample.
• Assist users to SOC-code survey data.
• Produce error identification and survey tracking reports, track address corrections, and provide other management tools.
• Export into JVS Estimation Software upon completion of survey data entry, editing, and coding.

The Data Capture System Users Guide is in development.

Estimation Software

This software, built by the BLS for the Workgroup, automates the estimation process and has built-in data analysis tools. Use it with the sampling and data capture software.

The JVS Estimation System is designed to:

• Work with Sample and Data Capture Software.
• Use survey data (from Data Capture System) and weights file (from Sampling Software) to produce job vacancy statistics.
• Allow user to import other data (e.g. turnover rates by occupation) to use for calculation of certain statistics (e.g. turnover-adjusted demand estimates).

The Estimation Software Users Guide is in development.

Other Useful Tools

About JVS - You’ll find theory and practice in this report, written by Minnesota and BLS staff for the Workgroup. It includes a literature review of job vacancy surveys and a description of sampling methodology, as well as sample timelines for implementing a job vacancy survey, tips for increasing your response rate and a guide to marketing your results.

Report Template - Data are time sensitive so the quicker and easier it is to build reports, the more useful the data are to your customers.

Brochure Template - Generate separate brochures for each region for which you have reliable results. This template simplifies the process.

JVS Workshops - The Workgroup hosts two workshops per year if needed to introduce labor market analysts to the JVS software, JVS data, and marketing of the program. Add your name to the email list to receive notification of the next workshop. Or download the presentations from the April 2003 Workshop and take the course yourself.

How to Access the Tools

Helpdesk - To access any JVS Tools or for answers to technical questions on how to conduct a job vacancy survey, contact the JVS Helpdesk analyst at JVS.Mail@state.mn.us

E-mail List: Join the JVS email list to get:

• Notification of new or updated job vacancy statistics.
• Progress reports from the Job Vacancy Statistics Workgroup.
• Notification of Job Vacancy Survey Workshops.
• Notification of updates to software or any new tools available.