The national and local job markets look promising, according to data released in the last two months. The first ever survey released by the Partnership for Public Service and the National Academy of Public Administration reported the U.S. government is pursuing individuals with skills and expertise that will help bolster national security.
Over the next two years, the government plans to fill more than 37,000 positions in security and enforcement alone. The most sought after jobs in America include security, public health, engineering occupations in the sciences, program management in administration and accounting and budget occupations in business.
Public health and engineering and science-related fields, which are projected to need an approximate average of 24,800 new hires over the next two years, follow closely behind.
Along with the national government’s employment growth, the rejuvenated Wisconsin economy has fostered employment growth, although not in the public sector.
Due to continued budgetary shortfalls — and a pledge from Gov. Jim Doyle to cut thousands of jobs in the next few years — the state is expected to downsize again this year.
Where there is growth, however, is in the private sector.
Terry Ludeman, chief labor economist for the State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, said areas relating to professional, technical and business services are all growing, as well as financial, insurance and credit-related services.
Most areas outside of the state government are experiencing growth of some kind, and even the long-struggling manufacturing sector is “showing signs of recovery,” Ludeman said.
According to Ludeman, the chief reason for the growth is due to the strength the national economy is gaining as it begins to move out of a recession.
Furthermore, Wisconsin has a very diverse economy, as opposed to that of other states around the nation, and a balanced economy allows prosperous areas to counterbalance weakened areas. This can facilitate faster recovery by offsetting losses and maintaining overall economic stability.
“Health care services have been extremely strong over the last several years,” Ludeman said, adding the health care industry is expected to continue to grow as the baby boomer generation begins to retire and become in need of geriatric services.
Health care jobs, particularly registered nurses, may be heading for a severe shortage, according to Katharyn May, Dean of the UW School of Nursing.
“[The] average age of the practicing registered nurse is 48,” May said. “And in another 10 to 15 years more than half of the current registered nurses will be retiring, [which creates] huge growth opportunity for jobs.”
The growth in Wisconsin employment is not just apparent in economic forecasts; unemployment rates are pointing toward improvement as well. December unemployment rates showed the monthly unemployment average at its lowest since 2001.
The report released by the DWD Office of the Secretary reported the average monthly rate for 2004 finished at just under five percent.
Wisconsin’s monthly employment for 2004 averaged more than 2.8 million jobs, a net increase of 45,700 jobs.
The biggest increases were in trade, transportation and utilities with 11,500 new jobs, administrative and support services with 13,200 additional jobs and education and health services with more than 10,000 jobs.
Decreases were reported in government jobs, which are down 4,900 and information services, down 1,200 jobs.
