In 2017, nearly all occupation clusters in the Rural Capital Area are projected to experience employment gains. Total employment is forecast to grow 4.3 percent this year, according to projections from national data provider EMSI.
Social Sciences is expected to be the single fastest growing occupation cluster in the region, rising 5.5 percent in 2017. Engineering, Social Services and Computer & Math are also projected to support strong job growth at 5.4, 5.4 and 5.3 percents, respectively. Additional sources of job growth include occupation clusters such as Education (5.2% percent growth), Legal (5.0 percent), Health Support (5.0 percent) and Health Care (5.0 percent).
Due to their relatively large size, many slower growing occupation clusters are projected to create the largest number of new jobs within the Rural Capital Area in 2017.
Office Administration employment is expected to increase by more than 1,600 jobs this year. Food Preparation & Serving and Sales are also expected to create a significant number of jobs within the Rural Capital Area, at 1,500 and 1,400, respectively. Both Education and Transport & Logistics clusters are projected to create more than 600 jobs each.
The Rural Capital Area can expect to see continued broad growth across a diverse set of occupations in 2017.
All clusters will post strong growth over the next 5 years with Geology (26% growth) and Education (20%) experiencing the highest growth. Occupation clusters with a high concentration (high location quotient) in comparison to the U.S. will also see strong growth. These strong, advancing occupations include; Geology, Construction, Computer and Personal Services.
Looking at these occupations in more detail we can see that Software Engineers will grow the most at 27%. Home Health Aides (23%), Bus Drivers (23%) and Teacher Assistants (23%) follow.
Retail and Food Services are expected to create the most new jobs between 2016 and 2021, with Retail Salespersons (2,200 jobs) at the top of the chart. Food Preparation & Serving (1,600 jobs) and Waiters and Waitresses (1,000 jobs) follow.
Information posted on Jan. 11, 2017 by headlight
