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a. 3. Discuss current and projected employment opportunities in the State (such as by providing information available under §15 of the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 491-2) by occupation), and the types of skills possessed by eligible individuals. (20 CFR 641.325(c))

Current Narrative:

The data provided below are included in the Indiana Economic Analysis 2017 Report, prepared by the DWD Research & Analysis team. A complete copy of the report is available at: http://www.hoosierdata.in.gov/docs/annual_econ_analysis/INDIANA%20ECONOMIC%20ANALYSIS%20REPORT%20PY2017.pdf

Annual Employment and Weekly Wages

Age Distribution of the Workforce: The age distribution of Indiana’s workforce is shown below. Between the 2011 and 2016 estimates of the age distribution, Indiana’s workforce continued to grow older. The number of workers age 55 and older increased from 611,099 to 717,127. Workers under age 55 increased from 2.32 million to 2.45 million reversing a trend of recent years. This shift reflects an increased participation in the labor force among workers of all ages in 2016.[1]

Indiana’s unemployment rate as of October 2019 is 3.2%, which is lower than the national rate of 3.6%. Indiana’s labor force had a net increase of 567 individuals over the previous month. This was a result of a decrease of 1,397 unemployed residents and an increase of 1,964 employed residents. Indiana’s total labor force, which includes both Hoosiers employed and those seeking employment, stands at 3.38 million, and the state’s 64.4% labor force participation rate remains above the national rate of 63.3%.

From 2012 to 2017 total employment grew by 203,149 jobs (7.2%) overall for all industries, including both public and private employment. This is measured from the QCEW annual average employer reported data. QCEW is the best measure of true employment levels based on aggregated administrative tax data. This data is used by other surveys (such as the CES cited in the introduction) to benchmark by annually. This is the most recent full year of data at the time of this report. Over the most recent five year period of recovery nearly 72.4% of this growth was in a few key sectors in Indiana. Manufacturing saw the largest declines throughout the recession and has also seen the largest comeback in raw numbers with gains of over 49,480 (10.3%) since 2012. Health Care and Social Services increased by 37,154 jobs or 9.4%.

Accommodations and Food Services grew by 21,838 (8.9%). Retail Trade grew by 20,528 jobs (6.6%) and Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation services grew by 17,982 (14.8%) during this time frame.

Industries showing the highest employment increases from 2012 to 2017 and Skills needed for each are included below.

  • Manufacturing: Indiana manufacturers grew employment by 49,480 over this time frame. Manufacturing remains the largest increase in the recovery of total jobs for all industries. Manufacturing has experienced a growth rate of 10.3% by industry for Indiana and pays wages greater than average with weekly wages at $1,175 on average during 2017.  Some of the skills needed include: mechanical aptitude, critical thinking, self-monitoring, machine operation, active listening, and routine equipment maintenance.  Successful employees will have the ability to learn quickly through certification programs and OJT opportunities.
  • Health Care and Social Assistance: Health Care and Social Assistance facilities have grown by 9.4% in the last 5 years, for an increase of 37,154 jobs. This sector growth includes physicians’ offices, hospitals, and a wide range of providers. Wages in this industry averaged just above the statewide total, at $928 weekly for 2017.  The need for workers in personal care, home health aides and other health or social assistance-related occupations has continued to grow.  Active listening, a service oriented personality, awareness of patient’s needs, critical thinking and the ability to monitor others and take appropriate corrective action as needed are all required skills aptitudes for these types of occupations.  Some certifications and continued learning may be required.  Health benefits and other perks may be available, depending on the position and employer.  
  • Accommodation and Food Services: The Accommodation and Food Service industries have grown at a rate of 8.9% since 2012, growing 21,838 jobs. While many of these jobs are lower or middle wage jobs, growth in these industries indicates growth in consumer spending and confidence and may indicate positive economic trends for the state. This industry includes many part time workers, with average weekly wages of $307 during 2017.  This occupation is popular with SCSEP-eligible clients who might have limited higher education or are missing certifications required for occupations which might pay a higher wage.  Successful employees in service industry occupations must possess basic customer service skills naturally: effective communication, active listening, problem solving, and the flexibility to identify and adjust actions based on individual customer needs.  Some certifications and OJT is suggested, may be required based on industry standards. Healthcare and other benefit packages vary, based on the employer.
  • Retail Trade: The Retail Trade industry grew by 20,528 or 6.6% between 2012 and 2017. Much like Accommodation and Food Services, growth in this industry indicates confidence in consumer spending. The average wages for this industry are at $527 for 2017.  This occupation provides strong opportunities for SCSEP-eligible jobseekers.  Once again, strong, naturally service-minded individuals with effective communication, active listening, and strong problem solving skills, plus the flexibility to identify and adjust actions based on individual customer needs are all important qualities for individuals in retail occupations.  Jobs are available in both full-time and part-time options and often provide insurance and other perks as part of the benefits package.  
  • Administrative Support and Waste Services: This industry has grown by 17,982 over this 5 year period, at a rate of 10.6%. Gains have been dominated by growth in temporary employment services. Once concentrated in office support or manufacturing, recent growth indicates employment services now provide temporary labor to a wide variety of industries throughout the state. Wages for these industries vary widely, and the weekly averages may include part-time workers. During 2017, the average weekly wage for this industry was $612.  These occupations can be a good fit for SCSEP-eligible clients due to the skill set required and minimal need for additional certification for entry level positions.
  • Professional and Technical Services: Professional and Technical Services has shown healthy growth from 2012 to 2017, showing promising projected future growth Among the industries this sector contains are Legal Services, Architectural and Engineering, Research and Development and Computer Systems Design and Related Services. Many of these areas have been the focus of Indiana economic development. The sector has grown 14,731 jobs at a 14.7% gain over the past 5 years. The wages for 2017 are above the state average at $1,301.  These occupations require a more extensive skill set than many of the other occupations in demand for the Older Worker clients, but with additional certifications and OJT opportunities, these occupations can be a good fit with opportunity for growth.
  • Transportation and Warehousing: Transportation and Warehousing has grown by 12,506 from 2012-2017. This industry has also been a target for economic development for several years. This industry grew by 9.8% during this 5 year period.  With the availability of short-term OJT and additional certification opportunities (to gain skills in fork lift operation, etc.), SCSEP-eligible clients can become ideal employees with the right match of jobseeker and employer. Trucking, logistics, and warehousing has also seen a boom over the last five years, gaining 11,408 jobs at a rate of 9%. This industry has grown another 5,000 since the start of 2015. This industry pays nearly the statewide average, with weekly wages averaging $820 throughout 2014.

[1] At the time of this writing, the 2017 American Community Survey was not available.