Commerce Launches Project Boomerang To Bring Back Skilled Workers

May 7, 2008 -- To attract highly skilled workers and bring expatriate talent back home, the Oklahoma Department of Commerce recently launched Project Boomerang.

"As the lead economic development agency in Oklahoma, Commerce is working to find ways to retain and attract a highly skilled workforce," says Secretary of Commerce and Tourism Natalie Shirley. "We came up with Project Boomerang as a way to capitalize on our greatest asset: our Oklahoma native talent."

Oklahoma's low unemployment rate of 3.2% has many employers seeking workers to fill high-paying jobs. By comparison, the national unemployment rate is 5.0%. In Oklahoma, every person who is willing to work and can work is working, which makes finding skilled talent even harder.

Project Boomerang seeks two distinct audiences.  The first audience includes 25-35 year-old knowledge workers to fill high wage jobs in areas such as computing and aviation.

Target professions include engineers, nurses and various healthcare professionals, aviation mechanics, technology workers, and others deemed essential to helping advance the economy.

The second audience includes 50-65 year-old executives with management experience.  Their skills can be used to help upstart companies get on track.  While at the same time those executives will enjoy a more relaxed pace that is offered by living in Oklahoma.