This document provides information about green jobs and training opportunities in Utah. It discusses the results of Utah's green jobs survey, which estimated about 1,100 annual green job openings in Utah, accounting for 3.3% of total job openings. It also outlines Utah's emphasis on developing four green career sectors and provides details on a State Energy Sector Partnership program that is providing training for green jobs through July 2012 at various institutions around the state.

1. GrEEN JobS and More
September/October 2011
Perspectives on Utah’s Economy
INSIDE:
A National and Regional
Green Jobs Assessment
Defining Green Jobs
PLUS
TraINING
opportunities
for
GrEEN
Green
Careers
Department of Workforce Services

2. Trendlines
Trendlines
is published every other month by the
Utah Department of Workforce Services,
Workforce Research and Analysis. To read, Utah Department of Workforce Services
download, or print this publication (free),
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see our Internet site: http://jobs.utah.gov/wi.
Kristen Cox
Click on “Publications” then select the one
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Workforce Research and Analysis
To obtain additional printed copies or to Rick Little, Director
Kimberley Bartel, Editor
subscribe to Trendlines contact:
Department of Workforce Services Contributors
Attn: WRA Linda Marling Church
140 East 300 South Jane Gardner
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Mark Knold
Lecia Langston
John Mathews
Telephone: (801) 526-9462
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Fax: (801) 526-9238 Nate Talley
Email: wipublications@utah.gov
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The Workforce Research and Analysis
Division generates accurate, timely, and
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2 September/October 2011

3. GREEN JOBS and More
September/October 2011
Perspectives on Utah’s Economy
contents
INSIDE:
A National and Regional Is the Recovery Ready to Move
Green Jobs Assessment
Defining Green Jobs 4 into a Higher Gear?
Wasatch Front and Statewide
PLUS
TRAINING
Defining Green Jobs
Opportunities
6
for
GREEN
Careers
Economic Insight
Is Utah's Employment Grass Greening Up?
Department of Workforce Services
8 A quick look at "green job" projections
What's Happening
Green Jobs 10 Training Opportunities for Green Careers
DWS News
and More! State of Utah Green Jobs Survey Revisited:
12 Major Findings
Economic News
Unemployment & Underutilization
14 of Labor
The Outlook
pg. 10 Profiling the Recession Upon Classes
17 Within the Labor Force
Insider News
A National & Regional
20 Green Jobs Assessment
National News
The “Other” Unemployment Rate—
Utah’s Insured Unemployment Rate Provides
22 Economic Insights
FYI
pg. 24
Environmental Engineers: Saving the Earth
24 Occupations
Utilities
26 Industry Highlight
Just the Facts...
27 Rate Update
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 3

4. wasatch front and statewide | by mark knold, chief economist
Is the
Recovery
Ready to
Move Into a
Higher
Gear?
4 September/October 2011

5. L
et’s highlight some good economic news With time, we see relational patterns emerge
for a change. Sure the economy is still between the initial survey estimates and
struggling in Utah, but we need to ac- the lagged employment counts. When the
knowledge any good piece of news, especially actual employment counts are falling, the
when it is a key economic variable. survey sees this fall, but it has a tendency
not to catch the true depth of the decline.
Utah’s actual employment numbers are in for Conversely, when the employment picture
the first quarter and they came in better than reverses and improves, the survey estimates
the original survey estimates. Not by anything have a tendency to be lower than the actual
excessive, but an original 1.7 percent growth employment counts that come in later. So
estimate is now revised up to 1.9 percent. The the survey usually ends up chasing the fall
best part is that a shift may have occurred, and lagging the rise.
portending a strengthening Utah employment
trend. Let me explain. It is the shift in relationships for the first
quarter that is most encouraging. For most
Actual employment counts for a time period of the past three years, as the employment
don’t come in until further down the road, counts fell, the survey was not capturing the
after most of the state’s employers report their complete depth of the job loss. Employment
payroll counts into the state’s unemployment gains have now risen in Utah over the past
insurance program. Unfortunately, it takes year, but the survey stayed slightly ahead
time for all of this data to accumulate and be of those gains. But the first quarter data
processed. In the meantime, an employment now puts the survey behind actual Utah
survey is done every month to get a feel for job growth for the first time in many years,
what is happening—employment-wise—in suggesting the Utah economy is starting
a more current time frame. The actual, but to kick into a higher gear. Let’s hope this
lagged, employment numbers will eventually continues and is not just a one-quarter
replace the survey’s results. anomaly.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 5

6. economic insight | by jim robson, economist
Defining
Green
Jobs
I
n recent years, public policies nationally
and internationally are increasingly
focused on the need to transform
economic activities to be sustainable,
secure, and healthier. Economic activities—
production, investment, infrastructure
development, and research—that promote
environmental health, conserve resources,
and secure our energy future have been
given the label “green.”
Concepts and discussions of the green
economy have been with us for many
U.S. fIRMS THAT PRODUCE GREEN GOODS OR SERvICES By INDUSTRy years, but attempts to understand its scope,
size, and growth have been stymied by the
2009 lack of official government data on green
industries, occupations, and employment.
Number of Percent As various states, regions, and national
Establishments Distribution organizations have struggled to measure
Natural Resources and Mining 88,700 4.1% the green economy in the recent past,
the need for standard and comprehensive
Construction 820,700 38.1% measurement of the green economy
Manufacturing 77,700 3.6% became clear.
Trade, Transportation, and Utilities 49,300 2.3% Beginning in 2009, the U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics (BLS) was given the assignment
Information 77,000 3.6% to develop a standard definition and
Professional and Business Services 779,100 36.2% procedure to measure green jobs. BLS
defines green jobs as either:
Education and Health Services 26,400 1.2%
A. Jobs in businesses that produce goods
Other Services 183,300 8.5% or provide services that benefit the
Government 42,100 2.0% environment or conserve natural resources.
All Other Sectors 10,400 0.5% B. Jobs in which workers’ duties involve
making their establishment’s production
Total 2,154,700 100% processes more environmentally friendly or
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
use fewer natural resources.
6 September/October 2011

7. The U.S. Bureau of Labor
Statistics is developing
a standard definition to
measure green jobs.
BLS determined it needed two approaches to (Part A) using two surveys, a new Green Goods and
measure green jobs. The output approach (Part A), Services (GGS) survey and an enhanced version of
identifies firms that sell green goods and services the existing Occupational Employment Statistics
and counts the associated jobs. According to BLS, (OES) survey. When a business establishment
customers buy green goods and services that fall produces both green and non-green goods or
into five categories: services, jobs will be allocated as green using the
share of total revenues from the green products
1. Energy from renewable sources. sold. This allows for an equitable distribution of
production, administrative, and management jobs
2. Energy efficiency. among green and non-green products.
3. Pollution reduction and removal, greenhouse BLS is scheduled to publish its first green jobs
gas reduction, and recycling and reuse. statistics on national and state levels by industry
and occupation from data collected during 2011
4. Natural resources conservation. from the GGS and OES surveys in the spring 2012
5. Environmental compliance, education and and annually thereafter.
training, and public awareness.
For the process approach (Part B), measuring
The second method or the process approach (Part green jobs related to the use of environmentally
B), counts workers within firms that “research, friendly production within an establishment,
develop, or use technologies and practices to lessen BLS is developing a special employer survey to
the environmental impact of their establishment”, be administered during the summer of this year
or train others “in these technologies and with a planned release in the summer of 2012.
practices.” BLS has identified four groups of green This data will be employment and wages by
technologies and practices within firms for the occupations for the Nation and Census Regions
process approach: (no state breakout).
1. Energy from renewable sources.
2. Energy efficiency. For additional information
3. Pollution reduction and removal, green house
gas reduction and recycling and reuse.
on measuring green jobs
4. Natural resources conservation. from BLS go to
BLS will count green jobs and wages by detailed http://www.bls.gov/green/
industries and occupations for the output approach
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 7

8. what's happening | by lecia parks langston, economist
Is Utah’s Employment Grass
Greening Up?
A quick look at “green job” projections
W
ith the results of Blue and White are Green
the Department of Which major occupational groups
Workforce Services' should create the most green-job open-
first attempt at studying Utah’s ings? Well, in this case green-collar
“green” jobs firmly in hand (see the openings are primarily blue-collar
article on page 12), we took the next openings. Half of all green-openings
logical step. We’ve developed green should occur in just four blue-collar
job projections. This process entailed occupational categories—production
combining our green jobs research with (manufacturing), construction/mining,
our long-term occupational projections installation/maintenance /repair, and
for 2008-2018. Yes, I know it is 2011! transportation/material moving. Projec-
But don’t think these projections are tions indicate another quarter of these
Often these green- meaningless. Occupational projections new openings will occur in occupa-
related emerging are produced on a two year cycle after
the U.S. projections are complete. It’s
tional groups that typically require a
bachelor’s degree or higher (white col-
occupations don't a very time-consuming process, and lar)—management, life/physical/social
sciences, and architecture/engineering.
we’re just gearing up to do the next
have their own set. Plus, I’ve been in the occupational-
Down to the Individual
classification yet, projection business a long time—the
trends change very, very slowly. So, Which individual occupations should
although new here’s what we expect in the next provide the most green-related open-
ings? Again, the green answer seems
several years.
classifications more blue-collar than white- or pink-
More Openings
should be Green jobs should grow at an annual
collar. In addition, two “residual” or
“all other” occupational categories
forthcoming. rate of approximately 2 percent a year—
about the same expansion rate as total
show up high on the list. Why? Be-
cause many green professions are
employment. When we add the need emerging occupations, they don’t yet
for replacements to growth in green have their own classification in the
jobs, Utah can expect an average of occupational coding structure. Often
1,100 openings per year for green-related these emerging occupations must be
jobs—about half from growth; half from categorized in the “all other” groups.
replacement needs. Seems like a lot? (Fortunately, the latest revision of
Well, keep in mind that we expect a total the Standard Occupational Classifi-
annual average of 64,000 Utah openings cation system includes many “new”
per year during the projection period. On green occupation classifications, so
the other hand, green jobs are expected more-detailed data should be forth-
to comprise more than 3 percent of coming.) Interestingly, both retail
total openings compared to less than 2 salespersons and heavy truck drivers
percent of current employment. made the list.
8 September/October 2011

9. Share of Utah Projected
GrEEn Jobs by Major Occupational Group
2008-2018
Jobs in the production and All Other
15%
Production
construction industries are Sales
15%
5%
projected to create the most Building & Grounds Cleaning Construction,
green jobs through 2018. 5% Extraction
15%
Architecture & Engineering 7%
Installation,
Maintenance &
Repair
Life, Physical & 12%
Social Science Management
7% 11%
Transportation,
Material Moving
8%
Utah Occupations
with the Most Projected
GrEEn Openings • 2008-2018
Heating/Air Conditioning/
60
Refrigeration Mechanics/Installers
Production Workers, All Other 50
Electricians 30
Managers, All Other 30
Retail Salespersons 30
Laborers and Freight/Stock/Material
30
Movers
Refuse and Recyclable Material
30
Collectors
Water/Liquid Waste Treatment Plant/
30
System Operators
Maintenance and Repair Workers,
20
General
Landscaping and Groundskeeping
20
Workers
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids
20
and Housekeeping Cleaners
Forest and Conservation Technicians 20
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and
20
Steamfitters
Truck Drivers, Heavy 20
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 9

10. dws news | by jane gardner, labor market information specialist
TRAInInG OPPORTunITIES
for
Green
Careers
utah is emphasizing four green
career sectors:
1. alternative fuels
2. energy management
3. green construction
4. renewable energy
production and
transmission.
G
reen careers are critical to Utah’s continued industries. Training started in January 2011 and will
quality of life and in diversifying Utah’s vibrant be provided through July 31, 2012. Currently 202
economy. Data from Utah’s Green Jobs Survey participants are enrolled in training courses. The chart
approximated 1,100 green job openings per year—which at the right identifies SESP training institutions and their
accounts for 3.3 percent of all total job openings. (For respective curriculum.
more information on green occupational projections,
see the article on page 8.) Training participants work with Energy Career
Development Specialists located at the schools who
In January 2010, the Utah Department of Workforce determine their individual needs and eligibility for the
Services (DWS) was awarded a $4.6 million State Energy program. The specialists also coordinate with the schools
Sector Partnership (SESP) grant by the US Department to develop class schedules and materials needed for
of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. classes and assist with job placement upon completion.
The grant’s purpose is to support state’s roles in build-
ing a national green economy. The average class length is six months and participants
initially complete core training that provides the
The project will provide no-cost training to 1,400 foundational skills needed for any of the specific
individuals who can obtain skills required to work training areas. Core training includes energy essentials,
in emerging energy efficiency and renewable energy computer skills, applied math, technical writing,
10 September/October 2011

11. STATE CORE EnERGy CuRRICuLuM
Statewide Energy Management/Efficiency and Renewable Energies
Energy Essentials Computer Skills Applied Math Safety Regulations Technical Writing
Technical All participants will complete common
Essentials OSHA
Foundations and “core” training in addition to a
Integrated Skill “specialty” program. This will provide
Sets Processing
the integrated foundational skills needed First Aid + CPR
to cross over in to any of the specific
training areas. This will allow individuals
Energy Essentials to move in and out of occupations/
sectors as the market changes.
and safety regulations. Upon completion of the core location of Monument Valley and made it feasible for
training, every participant will obtain OSHA and First SESP to offer the course outside of the regular school
Aid/CPR certifications. In the near future, core training year. The program provided youth with an internship
courses will be available online. opportunity building octagons, which is a version of
the traditional Navajo hogan. Participants gained valu-
Success Story #1: a Box Elder County par- able work experience in addition to high school credit.
ticipant owns a repair shop and wanted to add CNG
(Compressed Natural Gas) installation to his existing Upon completion of the program, training participants
services. Not only did the training (CNG certification) will have the potential to improve their earnings
increase his business revenue but the school asked him and be marketable in an energy sector career, obtain
to become a CNG instructor--win for the participant employment in an energy sector occupation or maintain/
and win for the program. retain employment in their current position. To find
out if you may be eligible for the no-cost training, go
Success Story #2: This summer, Utah State to jobs.utah.gov and click on the State Energy Sector
University-Workforce Education Division and SESP Partnership Grant link or contact Melisa Stark, DWS
partnered to teach Navajo youth building skills. This Program Specialist (801) 628-4051, mstark@utah.gov or
collaboration made it possible for the DWS Youth Kelly Thornton, DWS Program Specialist (435) 719-2630
Employment Program to reach students in the remote kthornto@utah.gov.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 11

12. economic news | by nate talley, economist
State of Utah Green Jobs Survey Revisited
Major Findings
T
rendlines readers might remember the article entitled ‘State of Utah
Green Jobs Survey’ published in our January/February 2011 issue,
which detailed the Department of Workforce Services’ (DWS) effort to
Nearly 6,000 Utah measure the incidence and prevalence of green jobs in Utah. That article
can be referenced for a detailed overview of survey methodology and our
businesses were definition of ‘green’. Otherwise, a few elements of the DWS Green Jobs Survey
that will aid in the consumption of this article are as follows: as part of the
found to be involved Rocky Mountain Northern Plains green job consortium, DWS administered a
in green activities Green Jobs survey to over 11,000 Utah establishments during the 2nd quarter
of 2010. Employers across all industries, size classes and state geographies
were surveyed, and activities belonging to six green economic categories were
captured.
Nearly 6,000 Utah businesses were found to be involved in green activities
during the survey period. Of those, it is estimated that almost half were
operating to promote products or services that increase energy efficiency
or the conservation of energy. The remaining green economic categories
witnessed relatively equal representation, as can be seen in Figure 1.
12 September/October 2011

13. Figure 1: Green Economic Percent of Green
Category Businesses
Energy Efficiency 49.2%
Sustainable Agriculture 11.1%
Renewable Energy 10.4%
Environmental Cleanup 10.0%
Education and Regulation 9.7%
Pollution Prevention and Reduction 9.6%
In terms of green employment, there were 22,270 green jobs in Utah, 6,000 of which were found in the
construction industry. The manufacturing and professional and technical industries followed with 3,272 and
1,743 green jobs, respectively. Other industries, while not possessing the same levels of total green jobs, had
high concentrations of green employment relative to their total industry employment. 15.4 percent of the
utility industry’s employment was green, with agriculture at an 8.6 percent concentration and mining at 7.1
percent.
Figure 2: Utah Green Industry Statistics
18.0% 7,000
16.0% 6,000
14.0%
12.0% 5,000 Percent Green
10.0% 4,000
Number of Green Jobs
8.0% 3,000
6.0% 2,000
4.0%
2.0% 1,000
0.0% 0
Agriculture
Mining
Utilities
Construction
Manufacturing
Wholesale Trade
Retail Trade
Real Estate
Professional and Technical
Management
Administrative and Waste
Arts, Entertain, and Rec
Other Services
Public Administration
In many ways, it was not surprising to discover which industries most represented green jobs in terms of
total job counts and relative employment percentages, since some of the green economic activities within
our definition are especially prevalent in particular industries. For example, jobs having to do with energy
efficiency and conservation, such as HVAC technicians and solar panel installers, are frequently found in
the construction industry. Likewise, energy efficiency activities are often undertaken by companies in the
utilities industry, technologies in cleaner oil extraction and environmental clean-up are being more commonly
utilized in the mining industry and consumer demand continues to influence the proliferation of sustainable
agriculture practices.
If nothing else, the green jobs survey has demonstrated that green jobs do exist in Utah, as well as the related
opportunities for Utah’s workforce. As market mechanisms increasingly incentivize green economic behaviors,
Utahns can continue to expect opportunities in the field of green.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 13

14. the outlook | by john mathews, economist
Unemployment &
Underutilization
of Labor
The Unemployment Rate isn't the
only way to measure the state of
the economy.
T
he U.S. Department of Labor, the total civilian labor force (CLF). The
Bureau of Labor Statistics civilian labor force includes persons 16
(BLS) is the “keeper” of the years of age and older who are working
unemployment statistics. It’s their (employed) or looking for work (unem-
job to provide the nation with the ployed). The proportion of the civilian
numbers profiling the workforce. labor force that is looking for work be-
The public, politicians, business- comes the unemployment rate.
es, and policy makers often look
to a single statistic—the unem- BLS also publishes “Alternative Measures
ployment rate—to provide them of Labor Underutilization.”1 These look
with a measure of the economic at labor force participation and labor
“misery” in the country. It’s not utilization through increasing stages of
the only measure that describes discernment. Six ascending measures of
the state of the economy, but it’s labor underutilization emerge, labeled
the one that seems to get the most U-1 through U-6 (see box for definitions).
play. With each successive step, additional and
more liberal criteria are added. These al-
The unemployment rate is a mea- ternative criteria are measured through
sure of how connected—or discon- the Census Bureau’s monthly Current
nected—the workforce is to the job Population Survey (CPS, or commonly
market. It is derived by dividing the called the Household Survey). Results
number of unemployed persons by are compiled and released by BLS. The
14 September/October 2011

15. closest measure to the official unem-
ployment rate is the U-3 rate, it be-
ing “total unemployed as a percent
of the civilian labor force.2 Unemployment & the Highest Level
of Labor Underutilization
Discouraged workers, added to the
U-3 measure in the U-4 step, are per- U.S. and Utah 2005-2010
sons who are not looking for a job 18.0
but would take a job if they felt they 16.0
could find one. They also had looked 14.0
for a job sometime in the prior 12 U3 Utah
months. They are not counted as 12.0
officially unemployed because they 10.0 U6 Utah
had not searched for work in the 8.0
prior four weeks, for the specific rea-
son that they believed no jobs were
6.0 U6 U.S.
available for them. 4.0
2.0
U-5 goes one step further and adds in
marginally-attached workers, mean- 0
ing people of U-4 characterization 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
who have cited any other reason for
not looking for work in the past four
weeks than discouragement.
U-6 completes the pyramid. It actu-
ally includes people who are work- Alternative Measures of Labor Underutilization
ing, but only working part-time (less
than 35 hours per week) for econom- • U-1, persons unemployed 15 weeks or longer, as a per-
ic reasons (not their own choice) yet cent of the civilian labor force;
who desire and are available to work
• U-2, job losers and persons who completed temporary
more hours. These individuals are
jobs, as a percent of the civilian labor force;
sometimes referred to as involuntary
part-time workers. This U-6 criterion • U-3, total unemployed, as a percent of the civilian labor
is designed to capture the broadest force (this is the definition used for the official unem-
extent of labor underutilization. ployment rate);
• U-4, total unemployed plus discouraged workers, as
U-6 is often referenced in the press
a percent of the civilian labor force plus discouraged
and national stories because it is
workers;
looked upon as the complete story
surrounding labor. It is also more • U-5, total unemployed, plus discouraged workers, plus
sensational. This U-6 rate is not only all other marginally attached workers, as a percent of
inherently the highest, but is notice- the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached
ably higher in economic recessions workers; and
than in other phases of the business • U-6, total unemployed, plus all marginally attached
cycle. In effect the U-6 rate expands workers, plus total employed part time for economic
the scope of labor underutilization reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all
to include those that have given marginally attached workers.
up looking for work and those that
want to work more hours but are Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.
employed part-time.
continued on page 16
Trendlines 15

16. the outlook cont. | by john mathews, economist
Utah Labor Underutilization The underutilization rates are infor-
compared to the U.S. mative measures of the economic en-
In 2003, BLS started measuring these vironment and the stress placed upon
six levels for each state. Data are the labor force. Understanding these
available quarterly, covering the most various measures and what they por-
recent four quarters. An annual esti- tray add depth to the picture of labor
mate is also produced.3 underutilization in America.
Let’s place these measures in the con- ___________________
text of the current economic/busi-
ness cycle by providing some history. 1
http://www.bls.gov/lau/stalt.htm
We’ll use the unemployment rate (U-
3) and the U-6 underutilization rate.
2
Note that the unemployment rates
The economy was in strong growth (U-3) that are shown are derived directly
mode after the 2002 “Dot Com” re- from the CPS (quarterly summations).
cession, growing steadily through Most state and local unemployment
mid-decade, peaking in November
rates (monthly summations) add other
2007. Annual unemployment rates in
2007 reflected the high-flying econo- variables to the equation to strengthen Nevada, California,
my, with U.S. unemployment at 4.6
percent and Utah at 2.6 percent. At
the unemployment measure. As a result,
these U-3 measures may differ from the
Michigan and
that time the U-6 underutilization
rate was 8.3 percent for the country
official state unemployment rates for the Oregon were all
same period.
and 5.0 percent for Utah.
3
The annual rate is the one shown
hit harder by the
Both the national and Utah econo-
mies fell into recession thereafter.
in the graph. recession than
From 2008 to 2010, the national un-
employment rate jumped from 5.8
Utah.
percent to 9.6 percent. Utah’s job-
less rate also rose significantly, more
than doubling from 3.5 percent in
2008 to 8.2 percent by 2010. Even
more dramatic and reflective was
the change in U-6 underutiliza-
tion rates. The U-6 rates quickly
climbed into double-digits. At the
national level the 2010 U-6 reached
16.7 percent. Utah’s U-6 was nearly
as high at 15.1 percent. To jog your
memory, the unemployment rate for
the U.S. and Utah in 2010 was 9.6
percent and 8.2 percent, respective-
ly. These underutilization rates are
high and could remain high for the
next few years, even as the economy
moves forward with recovery.
The rates for states hardest hit by
the recession are much higher than
Utah’s. For example, in 2010 the
highest U-6 rates were for Nevada
(23.6 percent), California (22.1 per-
cent), Michigan (21.0 percent), and
Oregon (20.0 percent).
16 September/October 2011

17. insider news | by mark knold, chief economist*
*with programming contribution from Michelle Beebe
Profiling
Profiling
the Recession Upon Classes
Within the Labor Force
I
n late September 2008, insurance benefits in Utah (slightly lower than the
the United States econo- national percentage of filers). As that benefit program
my changed dramatically. is administered by the Department of Workforce
Like a flash flood rolling down a Services, we can aggregate this unemployment-filing
canyon, the financial fallout of information. This provides a picture of at least a
the U.S. housing bubble hit the segment of those who are unemployed, i.e., those
U.S. stock market with substantial who file for unemployment insurance benefits. It is
negative consequences. The na- assumed that the profile of this group of unemployed
tional economy went into shock. is representative of the greater picture of all
Businesses responded rapidly and unemployed workers in Utah.
aggressively, laying off large quanti-
ties of workers in short order. From Unemployment insurance claim levels exploded
September 2008 to May 2009—eight beginning in October 2008. Those having an active
months time—the United States un- unemployment insurance claim rose from 13,400
employment rate rose from 6.2 percent in September 2008, to 44,000 by March 2009.1
to 9.4 percent. Employment levels were Before and after snapshots can be profiled upon
reduced by nearly 4.8 million workers. the unemployment insurance claimants to see how
various gender, educational, and social-economic
Utah suffered the same type of impact. labor-force cohorts surface within the unemployment
Employment levels fell by 30,000 insurance system, and how they were impacted
people and unemployment rose by the recession. To do this, pre-recession trends
from 4.0 percent to 7.1 percent. and patterns are established. Then those patterns
The consequences of this financial are evaluated as the recession unfolds, and what is
fallout continued to ripple through both the U.S. and looked for are noticeable deviations from the long-
Utah economies for several more years, and even now term pattern. When those deviations are seen, then
its consequences are both evident and influential, immediate impacts from the recession are assumed.
although some minor employment rebounding has
occurred. From this, several impacts stand out:
Large quantities of workers suddenly found —The recession hit males particularly hard. Male
themselves unemployed. Who were these people, percentage of all unemployment claims went from
and what were their profiles and characteristics? That 55 percent before the crash to 70 percent shortly
is the subject of this article. thereafter.
About 30 percent of the people who are counted This increase is the result of two industries that
as unemployed actually file for unemployment were hit particularly hard during the recession—
continued on page 18
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 17

18. insider news cont. | by mark knold, chief economist
Percent of all Claims
80%
Males
65%
50%
Utah Unemployment Insurance Ongoing Claims
35%
Males and females
September 2008 through June 2011
Females
20%
Jul 08
Nov 08
Mar 09
Jul 09
Nov 09
Mar 10
Jul 10
Nov 10
Mar 11
construction and manufacturing
Percent of All Claims
(these two industries accounted 35%
for half of all the jobs lost during 25-34 year old
the recession). These industries are 30%
Recession increase
heavily dominated by male workers,
25%
so the natural outcome would be that 35-54 year old
male workers would suddenly show a 20% Utah Unemployment Insurance Claimants
45-54 year old
surge in unemployment filings when
these industries contracted workers. 15%
By Age Groupings
55-64 year old
September 2008 through June 2011
—The recession impacted younger 10%
Recession increase 21 -24 year old
workers more forcefully than older 5%
workers.
Apr 09
Apr 10
Apr 11
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
Oct 08
Oct 09
Oct 10
Jul 08
Jul 09
Jul 10
This makes sense from the standpoint
of historical observation as to how Percent of All Claims
choices are made when workers 60%
are laid off. In a broad sense, it is
oftentimes younger, less experienced Recession increase 9 to 12 years
45%
workers who are the first to be laid
off. Older workers usually carry more Utah Unemployment Insurance Claimants
tenure and institutional knowledge 30%
13-14 years
By years of Education
with them (thus better skills), and September 2008 through June 2011
therefore businesses are more apt to 15-16 years
15%
keep their higher-skilled workers.
They calculate that lesser- skilled
16+ years
workers will be both easier and 0%
cheaper to replace once the economy
Apr 09
Apr 10
Apr 11
Jan 09
Jan 10
Jan 11
Oct 08
Oct 09
Oct 10
Jul 08
Jul 09
Jul 10
picks back up.
—Low education levels generally Percent of All Claims
characterize the majority of the 100%
Non-Hispanic
unemployment claimants, and there
was an initial additional impact 75%
upon low education level workers,
but it did not remain sustained Utah Unemployment Insurance Ongoing Claims
throughout the recession period. 50%
Hispanic and Non-Hispanic
This works somewhat in concert September 2008 through June 2011
with the previous observation about 25%
younger workers, as younger work-
Hispanic
0%
Jul 08
Nov 08
Mar 09
Jul 09
Nov 09
Mar 10
Jul 10
Nov 10
Mar 11
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services; Unemployment Insurance Filing, Continued Claims
18 September/October 2011

19. Younger workers and workers living
in outlying areas of the Salt Lake
valley were harder hit.
ers may not have had enough time able change in this relationship dur- Herriman areas in southern Salt
yet to expand their education ten- ing the recession. Lake County, Lehi, Saratoga
ure. Even when there is no recession, Springs, and Eagle Mountain
lower educated workers are the ones —There was one additional effect in northern Utah County,
more often to appear within the un- that emerged from these unemploy- and around the Oquirrh
employed ranks. Workers with 9 to ment filers. It was the location and Mountains to the eastern
12 years of education make concentration of where these unem- reaches of Tooele County.
up about 50 percent of all ployment filers lived. In concert with the above
unemployment insurance observations of young-
claimants. This rose to al- While unemployment claims rose all er workers being more
most 60 percent during the over the state, certain census tracts readily unemployed, it
initial job-loss phase of the stood out with the highest quantity shouldn’t come as a sur-
recession, but there- of filers. Away from the Wasatch prise that the areas with
after settled back Front the highest filings were in the highest concentra-
down to its more Washington County, which turned tions of those filing
long-term level out to be one of the most impacted for unemployment
around 50 percent. areas in the state, with its housing benefits are found in
This was probably bubble very much resembling what these just-mentioned
the result of either happened in the hard-hit Las Vegas geographic areas.
them running out area.
of unemployment But along the Wasatch Front, the ___________________
benefits, or possibly areas with the highest filers were the
moving on to the fed- southwest corner of Salt Lake County,
eral-government ex- northeastern Utah County, and the
1
Mirroring federal
tended benefit ranks areas of eastern Tooele County outside government statistical
(extended benefits of Tooele City and Grantsville. These reporting procedures,
were not quantified areas are what some from the real
in this analysis). monthly snapshots are
estate world describe as “drive-till-
taken for one week each month,
you-qualify” areas.
—Non-Hispanics generally being the week that in-
make up around 90 As the Salt Lake County area has pop- cludes the 12th day of the month.
percent of all unem- ulated over the past several decades,
ployment benefit fil- land and housing prices have risen
ers. Hispanics make as those commodities became more
up the other 10 precious. For many young, first-time
percent (Hispanics home buyers employed in the Salt
make up around 10 Lake area, it became necessary to
percent of Utah’s drive further to find affordable land
labor force). There and home pricing. This took many
was no notice- young workers into the Bluffdale and
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 19

20. national news | by jim robson, economist
Average Annual
2003 Green 2010 Green Share of Total
Growth 2003
Jobs Jobs 2010 Jobs
to 2010
Alabama 32,592 38,182 2.3% 1.9%
Alaska 8,439 16,682 10.2% 4.7%
Arizona 29,896 37,257 3.2% 1.5%
Arkansas 27,920 32,450 2.2% 2.6%
California 239,064 318,156 4.2% 2.1%
Colorado 34,787 51,036 5.6% 2.2%
Connecticut
Delaware
22,541
4,873
29,751
6,917
4.0%
5.1%
1.8%
1.6%
A National &
Dist of Columbia 20,302 22,462 1.5% 3.1%
Regional
Clean Economy Jobs by State: 2003 and 2010
Florida 74,669 102,967 4.7% 1.4%
Georgia
Hawaii
64,709
7,144
83,707
11,113
3.7%
6.5%
2.1%
1.7% Green Jobs
Idaho 12,992 17,543 4.4% 2.7%
Illinois 86,084 106,375 3.1% 1.8%
Indiana 48,352 53,684 1.5% 1.9%
Iowa 24,574 30,835 3.3% 2.0%
Kansas 22,179 27,199 3.0% 1.9%
Kentucky 32,011 36,963 2.1% 1.9%
Louisiana 28,468 28,673 0.1% 1.5%
Maine 9,298 12,212 4.0% 2.0%
Maryland 34,837 43,207 3.1% 1.7%
M
Massachusetts 50,598 63,523 3.3% 2.0% any business and political
Michigan 78,537 76,941 -0.3% 1.9% leaders see an expansive
Source: Brookings-Battelle Clean Economy Database.
Minnesota 41,752 58,232 4.9% 2.1% “green economy” in the U.S.
Mississippi 17,730 20,905 2.4% 1.8% as fundamental to a sustainable and
Missouri 36,496 43,736 2.6% 1.6% secure economic future.
Montana 11,850 14,235 2.7% 3.1% While interest in understanding the
Nebraska 10,286 15,311 5.8% 1.5% green economy has been high in
Nevada 11,167 16,578 5.8% 1.5% recent years, it has been problematic
Newh Hampshire 8,971 12,886 5.3% 2.0% to define, isolate, and count.
New Jersey 68,127 94,241 4.7% 2.4% Currently, there is no national green
New Mexico 11,818 17,725 6.0% 2.1% database with standard industry and
New York 124,848 185,038 5.8% 2.1% occupational classifications across
states, regions, and metropolitan
North Carolina 52,780 78,881 5.9% 1.9%
areas. The numerous green jobs
North Dakota 4,537 7,146 6.7% 1.7%
and green economy studies done in
Ohio 88,513 105,306 2.5% 2.0% recent years have somewhat different
Oklahoma 13,903 19,297 4.8% 1.2% definitions and methodologies that
Oregon 50,482 58,735 2.2% 3.4% have prevented suitable regional and
Pennsylvania 99,334 118,686 2.6% 2.1% state comparisons.
Rhode Island 9,017 9,563 0.8% 2.0%
To address these data and definitional
South Carolina 46,659 50,424 1.1% 2.7%
shortcomings, the Metropolitan Policy
South Dakota 5,459 6,659 2.9% 1.5%
Program at The Brookings Institution
Tennessee 58,456 76,031 3.8% 2.8% in association with Battelle Technology
Texas 115,194 144,081 3.2% 1.3% Partnership Practice (Brookings/
Utah 14,312 18,261 3.5% 1.5% Battelle), developed a database at the
Vermont 8,295 9,425 1.8% 3.0% establishment level for every county
Virginia 48,423 66,772 4.7% 1.7% in the U.S. covering the years 2003
Washington 69,106 83,676 2.8% 2.8% to 2010. This database has enabled
Brookings/Battelle to produce a study—
West Virginia 10,587 12,659 2.6% 1.6%
Sizing the Clean Economy, A National
Wisconsin 73,093 76,858 0.7% 2.7%
Wyoming 4,147 6,363 6.3% 2.1%
United States 2,110,208 2,675,545 3.4% 2.0%
20 September/October 2011

21. A timely analysis of green jobs
for all states, the District of
Columbia, and the 100 largest
metropolitan areas.
Assessment
Following are some data and conclu- One theme of the Brookings/Battelle
sions resulting from the analysis: study concerns global competition
in green technology. International
• The clean economy employs 2.7 competition is already quite keen as
million workers in the U.S. spread countries such as China, Germany,
across a diverse group of indus- Japan, and the United Kingdom
tries, accounting for 2 percent of are engaging in a “race to clean” by
all jobs. making new and ongoing investments
and Regional Green Jobs Assessment. in the environmental goods sector a
This study provides timely major • The West has the largest share of source of quality jobs, exports, and
industry and occupational green jobs clean economy jobs relative to its growth.
analysis for all states, the District of population.
Columbia, and for the 100 largest Likewise the green economy is seen
metropolitan areas in the U.S. • Recent clean economy job growth as a potential source of future U.S.
is concentrated within the largest high-quality job growth. The analysis
Recognizing that there has been to metro areas. suggests that the emergence of clean
date, no consensus on a definition jobs is relevant to the renewal of
of the green economy, Brookings/ • The clean economy is manufactur- the national economic base, with
Battelle aligned its study with well- ing and export intensive. Manu- some green segments as critical to
established guidelines using “rules facturing accounts for about 26 future economic growth. Evidence
that are simple, internally consistent, percent of all clean jobs, while also supports the notion that some
transparent, and replicable.” The overall manufacturing comprises national policy lapses have left
basic green economy definition used 9 percent of total U.S. employment. domestic green demand weaker
in this study is: than it could be, financing harder to
• Industry clusters enhance metropol- obtain, and the innovation pipeline
“The clean economy is economic itan clean economy performance. less secure.
activity—measured in terms of Clustering involves the proximity of
establishments and the jobs associated similar and related businesses.
with them—that produces goods
and services with an environmental • Green jobs provide better pay to
benefit or adds value to such products low- and middle-skilled workers
using skills or technologies that are More information on the report:
than does the economy as a whole.
uniquely applied to those products.” Sizing the Clean Economy, A National and
• The study counted 14,312 green Regional Green Jobs Assessment is available
The last part of this definition jobs in 2003 and 18,261 in 2010 at http://www.brookings.edu/metro/Clean_
concerns firms that add value to for Utah. The Utah average annual Economy.aspx.
clean products—seeking to capture green jobs growth rate over those
the green supply chain, that is, seven years was 3.5 percent, just
companies that provide materials or above the 3.4 percent growth rate
inputs to the final green products. nationally.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 21

22. fyi by lecia parks langston, economist
The “Other” Unemployment Rate—
Utah’s Insured Unemployment Rate Provides
Economic Insights
Seventy percent of the “unemployed”
are not receiving unemployment
benefits. Find out why.
M
ost people are somewhat rarely sees the media light of day. they’ve been out of the labor force
familiar with the The insured unemployment rate is for several years, they’ve never had
unemployment rates that calculated by dividing the number a job, their job wasn’t covered by
are published by the Bureau of Labor of individuals making a weekly unemployment insurance laws, they
Statistics. These unemployment claim for unemployment insurance were self-employed, or they just
rates cover the entire labor force benefits by the number of jobs didn’t file for benefits.
(total unemployment rate or TUR). covered by unemployment insurance
Nationally, household surveys laws (covered employment). These So why might you be interested in
reveal the jobless rate. Monthly figures will not include noncovered the insured unemployment rate?
unemployment rates for Utah are a agriculture, the self-employed, folks First, it is based on hard numbers
hybrid of modeled data and survey who haven’t worked long enough to rather than estimates or surveys.
data. On a county level, jobless rates establish a claim, etc. Second, it is available a week rather
are estimated using other sources than a month after the fact. Third,
of data—the national survey isn’t Now, there’s a misconception out there it can act as a precursor for changes
large enough to provide rates for that only claimants for unemployment in the total unemployment rate.
individual counties. The public likes insurance benefits are counted in the Fourth, with their strong attachment
to track unemployment rates—even total unemployment rate (TUR). Not and history in the labor force, these
though they are far from the best true. The “recipiency rate”—or share individuals typically represent the
indicators of economic well-being. of the total unemployed receiving core of the labor force. Finally, it is easy
Maybe it’s just human nature to unemployment insurance benefits— to calculate insured unemployment
focus on the negative. typically measures just less than 30 rates by county and industry.
percent in Utah. In other words, 70
There is another unemployment rate percent of the “unemployed” are not On the other hand, it has its
that is based on hard numbers—not receiving unemployment benefits. drawbacks. It only includes 30
a survey. However, the little-known Why? These individuals didn’t work percent of the unemployed and it
for your in
insured unemployment rate (IUR) long enough to qualify for benefits, excludes those on extended benefit
22 September/October 2011