Trendlines is a publication of the Utah Department of Workforce Services

1. May/June 2010
Perspectives on Utah’s Economy
Job Outlook for
College Grads
FOR TEENS:
Cool Tips for Hot
Summer Jobs
Department of Workforce Services

2. Trendlines
Trendlines
is published every other month by the
Utah Department of Workforce Services, Utah Department of Workforce Services
Workforce Development and Information
Executive Director
Division. To read, download, or print
Kristen Cox
this publication (free), see our Internet
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from the list. Kimberley Bartel, Editor
To obtain additional printed copies or to
Contributors
subscribe to Trendlines contact:
Mark Knold
Department of Workforce Services John Mathews
Attn: WDID John Krantz
140 East 300 South Jim Robson
Salt Lake City, UT 84111 Lecia Langston
Linda Marling Church
Jane Broadhead
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Connie Blaine
The Workforce Development and
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Information Division generates accurate, Pat Swenson
timely, and understandable data and
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2 May/June 2010

3. May/June 2010
contents
Economy
Perspectives on Utah’s
Job Outlook for
College Grads
Revising Utah's 2009
4 Economic Performance
Wasatch Front and Statewide
FOR TEENS:
Cool Tips for Hot
Summer Jobs
Cool Tips for a Hot Summer Job
Department of Workforce Services
6 The Outlook
Gross Domestic Product Data
Job Outlook for 8 Comes to Metropolitan Areas
Economic Insight
College Grads and
Job Outlook for College Graduates 2010
Summer Youth 10 Economic News
Two Ways Education Pays
12 Insider News
Help Wanted But Not
16 By Employers
What's Happening
Emerging Occupations:
18 How Times Change
Occupations
pg. 6 U.S. Occupational and Employment
20 Projections 2008-2018
National News
WIA Youth Program
23 DWS News
State and Local Government Jobs
24 Among Utah's Counties
The Outskirts
Duchesne County
26 County Highlight
Just the Facts...
27 Rate Update
pg. 12
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 3

4. wasatch front and statewide | by mark knold, chief economist
Revising
Utah's 2009 Economic
Performance
Why revise data? Monthly snapshots aren't fully developed.
I t is common for government-generated statistics
to be changed, or “revised,” after an original data
profile had been released. This occurs because most
government statistical data generated on a monthly
basis are mere samples or snapshots of a larger pool of
Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW)—not a
survey, but a census.
In most years, the revisions between the original survey
estimates and these later census counts are minimal,
data that needs additional time to more fully develop. but not in the wild and wooly recession year of 2009.
The survey is commended for capturing the steep
One of these statistics is the employment profile of employment downturn when it began in late 2008,
Utah. On a monthly basis, the Utah Department of but it came up short in ultimately measuring the depth
Workforce Services prepares a report highlighting of Utah’s job loss. Whereas the survey had originally
Utah’s previous month’s profile of employment gains measured Utah’s 12-month job loss for August 2009
or losses. These counts are generated by the United at -4.5 percent, the QCEW data later showed that
States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), but BLS prefers same loss to be -5.8 percent. That is a difference of an
that the individual states release and explain that data additional 26,000 lost jobs—no small potatoes at that.
for them.
None of this ultimately changes the 2009 Utah
Yet it is only survey data. There is a richer set of Utah economic performance. It did what it did whether it
employment data that will appear months later via each was originally measured properly or not. What the
state’s unemployment insurance program. That count change does is allow us to accurately understand and
is so comprehensive it is actually called a Quarterly record Utah’s 2009 economic performance.
4 May/June 2010

5. More recent employment data
shows a greater job loss than
originally calculated in 2009.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 5

6. the outlook | by lecia parks langston, economist
Cool Tips I f you’re a teenager looking for a part-
time or summer job, there’s some
good news and some bad news. First,
the bad news—Utah and the rest of the
nation are just starting to dig their way
For a Hot
out of a long and deep recession and
jobs have been scarce.
Summer Job
Now, the good news—many of the
industries that usually hire teenagers
are starting to recover. In other words,
finding a summer job this year should
be easier than it was last year. Plus,
there’s a lot of turnover in the types
of jobs that hire teens, so the odds of
finding work are better than you might
think.
Now, I don’t have much space in this
article. So what’s the most important
advice I can give you for your job
search?
• Start looking for a job NOW. Many
employers have already started to
look for summer hires.
• Telleveryone you know (friends,
parents, aunts, uncles, teachers,
church leaders, neighbors, etc.) that
you are looking for work. This is the
best way to find a job.
• Go to the following web site for tips
on how to dress, interview, prepare
a resume, and look for work: http://
justforyouth.utah.gov/employment.
htm.
• Look for work online:
https://jobs.utah.gov/jsp/utahjobs
http://www.careerbuilder.com
http://www.monster.com
http://www.govtjobs.com
• Hit the streets. Apply for employ-
ment at places that typically hire
people under 20—fast food restau-
rants, stores, landscaping businesses,
motels/hotels.
6 May/June 2010

7. Finally, I thought I’d share with you
some advice from a person who
actually hires teens for summer jobs.
My daughter has a summer job as
an assistant manager at the local
swimming pool and has helped hire
numerous lifeguards and other pool
staff. Here are some of her interview
“do's and don’ts.”
Utah Inexperienced
DOn’t dress like a slob. Don’t show
too much skin and do sit modestly. DO Wages*
comb your hair, brush your teeth, and
Amusement/Recreation $6.80
dress a step higher than the standards
Attendant
for the job. This isn’t a fashion show, it’s
a job interview. Dressing appropriately Cashier $6.90
shows the employer you know how
to behave appropriately on the job. Childcare Worker $6.90
If you’re not sure what to wear, ask a
working adult or even the person who
calls to set up the interview.
Construction Laborer $9.10
DOn’t give one-word answers. DO take Fast Food Cook $6.80
the time to explain why you would be a
good employee. An employer doesn’t Fast Food Worker $6.80
know about you unless you tell them.
DOn’t be late. Showing up late to the
Farmworker/Greenhouse $7.60
interview is a pretty good indication
that you’re not responsible to show up Hotel/Motel Clerk $7.80
to work on time.
Janitor $7.20
DOn’t show up on the wrong day.
Okay, you guys all have cell-phones Landscaping Worker $8.00
and know how to work them. Make
sure you accurately record the interview
time and date. If you do forget, call and
Lifeguard $6.80
check.
Maids/Housekeeping $7.10
DOn’t ask for half the summer off.
An employer is hiring you to work. If O ce Clerk $8.20
vacations, sports, or other activities will
require a significant time away from the Receptionist $7.90
job, you probably won’t be hired.
DOn’t expect to be rehired if you Stock Clerk $8.20
were a poor employee last year. Once
you have a job, work hard, show up Vehicle Cleaners $7.30
on time, work your shift, and don’t
cause trouble. If you act responsibly, Waiter/Waitress $6.80
employers will want to hire you again
*The wage for new workers entering the occupation--reflects the average of the
next year.
wage estimates of the bottom third of the wages of the workers.
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services; May 2008.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 7

8. economic insight | by lecia parks langston, economist
Gross Domestic Product Data Comes to
Metropolitan Areas
A ny serious discussion of the state
of the U.S. economy includes at
least a side conversation about
the nation’s “gross domestic product.”
What is it? Gross domestic product
begun releasing GDP figures for met-
ropolitan statistical areas. In addition,
they are now providing data on an “ac-
celerated” basis. That’s their word, not
mine, since the most recently released
Idaho); Ogden-Clearfield, UT (Da-
vis, Weber, Morgan counties), Provo-
Orem, UT (Utah and Juab counties),
Salt Lake City, UT (Salt Lake, Summit,
and Tooele counties) and St. George,
measures value of all the goods and numbers are for 2008. UT (Washington County). Each MSA
services produced by the U.S. economy showed a unique pattern during the re-
in a given time period. Gross domestic Of course, just like the national GDP cent boom-to-bust cycle.
product or “GDP” tells us whether the statistics, the metro data is often re-
economy is growing or contracting. vised. Keep in mind that the most com- Comparing “real” or inflation-adjusted
The financial press uses the general mon word in their printed methodol- estimates for these areas produces an
rule that two quarters of declining GDP ogy for calculating GDP is “estimate.” enlightening picture. Most MSAs dis-
indicates a recession—although that’s (Sorry, I’m with the data police. It’s my played their most rapid GDP growth
not always true. And, the stock market duty to point these things out.) Nev- in 2005-2006 and their worst perfor-
rises and falls based on the release of ertheless, the new GDP estimates for mance in 2008. However, the Logan
this one statistic. Utah’s metropolitan statistical areas MSA bucked this trend. Its highest
provide some interesting insights on GDP growth occurred in 2003 and its
I Want My GDP! the boom-to-bust cycle we’ve recently worst growth in 2006. In 2008, while
In the past, the Bureau of Economic experienced. everyone else was experiencing slow or
Analysis didn’t publish local-level no growth, the Logan MSA managed a
GDP figures, and its state figures were Charting Boom-to-Bust Cycles 5-percent gain.
miserably out-of-date. But sometimes Utah has five metropolitan statisti-
things do get better in the data world. cal areas (MSA): Logan, UT-ID (Cache While generally following the trend of
Recently the federal government has County, Utah and Franklin County, other MSAs, the Salt Lake City MSA ac-
8 May/June 2010

9. 14%
12%
10%
8%
6%
4%
2%
Annual Change in Real* 0%
14%
Gross Domestic Product -2%
-4%
2002 2003
12%
10% Logan, UT-ID MSA
8% Ogden Clear eld, UT MSA
6% Provo-Orem, UT MSA
Salt Lake City, UT MSA
4%
St. George, UT MSA
2%
0%
-2%
-4%
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Logan, UT-ID MSA *Chained 2001 dollars.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
Ogden Clear eld, UT MSA
Provo-Orem, UT MSA
tually experienced declining GDP dur-
ing Salt Lakewhen most areas registered
2003, City, UT MSA
strong growth. Overall, the Ogden-
St. George, UT MSA
Clearfield MSA showed the most con-
sistent expansion in GDP, although
here too, the recession was apparent in
the slower growth of 2008.
The dreadful toll of the boom-to-bust
cycle was most apparent for the St.
George MSA. Back in 2005, when the
feds released the first prototype GDP
totals for MSAs, the St. George MSA,
with a 13-percent annual rate of real
GDP growth, ranked as the fourth fast-
est growing metro economy in the For more information on
United States.
gross domestic product
However, the release of 2008 GDP fig- for the Utah’s metropolitan
ures found the county with a 2-percent
decline in real gross domestic product. statistical areas, go to:
And instead of ranking fourth for GDP www.bea.gov
growth, it ranked 329 out of 366 metro
areas. Ouch! Boom to bust, indeed.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 9

10. economic news | by john mathews, economist
Job Outlook for College Graduates 2010
"It’s the Economy."”
College graduates this year will have to work very
hard to find a position in their career field.
I f you Google job outlook for grads
you will find articles that say the
outlook is bad. Although there are
some tiny green shoots pointing to
an economic turnaround, improve-
With a slumping economy, unem-
ployment high and job losses con-
tinuing, firms are reacting cautiously.
Overall, companies are cutting back
their hiring, waiting for the economic
and the nation, however this doesn’t
mean that no jobs will be available.
Major Majors
According to Michigan State Uni-
ment won’t happen in the next few pendulum to swing through the bot- versity’s Collegiate Employment Re-
months or this year. Even with the tom of the business cycle. This means search Institute (CERI), the majors
economy starting to grow, it’s only businesses perceive that consumers employers are seeking include E-
at a tepid rate and that doesn’t mean are not starting to spend and cre- commerce, entrepreneurialism, en-
that the number of jobs will be grow- ate the demand that fuels economic vironmental sciences, information
ing anytime soon. There is always a growth. It’s really about perception of science, information systems (man-
lag between economic growth and the consumers. agement and computer), interactive
job growth coming out of a recession. computer design, statistics, nursing,
Sometimes it’s just a few months, If they feel the economy is improv- and social work.1
sometimes years. All this gloom and ing, they spend and borrow more.
doom means that graduates this year This creates demand for businesses Remember, job demand is driven
have got their job-search work cut to expand to meet the demand, and by the industries where there is de-
out for them. away the economy goes in a growth mand. Currently these include tech-
cycle. It’s apparent that this phe- nology, healthcare, and government
nomenon hasn’t happened yet (primarily federal government). Oth-
to any large degree, so er than specific majors, a survey from
employers aren’t calling National Association of Colleges and
back laid-off workers or Employers (NACE) reports the top
hiring new workers to skills for top candidates.
meet the demand. That’s
StudEntS seeking employment
ls per company are
the market the college
grads are facing this
$$$$$$$
Starting salary offers to 2010 gradu-
will face fierce competition. Hiring leve spring. Recruiting activ- ates are less than last year, according
several decades, even after adjusting ity may be down in Utah to the (NACE) survey.2 Bachelor’s de-
at the lowest levels in
responded.
for the number of small employers who
Companies expect to hire about 30 individuals per
face competition
company. Our newest grads might not
es are focusing
from experienced labor, as many compani
idates with more
on new college grads rather than cand
ugh jobs to go
experience. Still, there are simply not eno
be FOCUSED,
around. Students need to continue to
DIRECTED, and CONNECTED.
’s Collegiate
Source: Michigan State University
Employment Research Institute
10 May/June 2010

11. gree starting figures were off two percent from the average
offer made to the class of 2009. That’s a decline from $49,353
to $48,351. Another interesting finding from the survey was
that just 29 percent of employers in 2010 planned to increase
their salary offers for the 2010 class. Business-related degrees’
starting offers were down but not by much. Computer occupa-
tions listed about a six-percent increase compared to 2009. En-
gineering disciplines also felt an increase, albeit small. Liberal
arts degrees’ starting salaries were heavily affected by the reces-
sion with average offers of eleven percent less than last year. top Skills for top
What’s a Graduate to Do? Candidates
Finding a job is a job. Do the legwork focusing on the kinds of Besides the right major and a good GPA, what
companies that employ your major. Use the placement center
do employers prize in potential employees?
of your soon-to-be alma mater to find out which companies are
coming to town. Remember, some companies may not physically
visit the college but recruit electronically through the school. Communication skills Flexibility/adaptability
Strong work ethic Computer skills
Use every contact you know to identify firms that are, or soon
will be, hiring. This means using your contacts with employees
Initiative Detail-oriented
currently working for companies of interest. Seek referrals through Interpersonal skills Leadership skills
college mentors. Certainly, get on the Internet and explore Problem-solving skills Technical skills
opportunities listed with individual companies or through larger Teamwork skills Organizational abilities
recruiting sites. Use social media, like Facebook or LinkedIn, as a Analytical skills Self-confidence
method of connecting.
One more sure-fire leg up in the job-hunting process is to go Source: Job Outlook 2010, National
Association of Colleges and Employers
into a job interview with some job-related experience on your
application. Employers seek educational attainment but the tie-
breaker will be experience. This can come from part-time work,
internship, volunteer work, work-study, or any way you can get
some real-world on-the-job experience.
Where to Go to Work
We have fared far better
in the Intermountain West with lower unemployment
You must be mobile; you have to go where the jobs are. That may rates and many new companies either locating new
mean you have to leave the state. Also, in an “employer’s” job
centers of operation or expanding in Utah. Career fairs
market, you may not be able to start at the great salary you wanted,
or in your prime location. You may have to accept something have been well-attended across the state in both fall and
less to get started in your career. Also, remember that not all spring. Many employers shifted their focus to internships
job opportunities are equally distributed across the USA. For rather than full-time hires, as a way to hedge against flat
example, the majority of jobs in corporate business and finance
are concentrated on the coasts, but primarily in the East. Major hiring projections. Local employers report that
engineering/construction activity is in major metropolitan areas. several factors at the federal level are making
Art, advertising, and design businesses are also concentrated them cautious about hiring, such as the
on the coasts, as is international trade.
impact of health insurance reform and
Now and Beyond 2010 the possible effects that cap and trade
Remember, the economy is in the bottom of a business cycle, or could have on manufacturers at it relates to
close to it. It’s not the last recession you will see. The economy energy consumption. Over all, the strength of
doesn’t run on a smooth and steady track. It’s more like a roller
the Utah economy has allowed local employers
coaster over time. There is some economic security in a good
education. In general, the more you learn, the more you to continue to hire new graduates and
earn, and the more you learn the less unemployment interns.
you will experience.
Stan Inman, Director—Career Services,
http://www.ceri.msu.edu/recruiting-trends/
1
University of Utah
2
http://www.naceweb.org/Press/Releases/Early_Report_
Shows_Lower_Average_Salary_for_College_Class_of_2010.a
spx?referal=pressroom&menuid=273
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 11

12. insider news | by mark knold & john krantz, economists
two Ways
Unemployment Rates
by Level of Education for Utah*
9%
8%
7%
6%
5% Less than High School Diploma
High School Diploma or GED
4% Some College, No Degree
Associate's Degree
3%
Bachelor's Degree
2% Master's Degree
Professional or Doctorate Degree
1%
0%
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Doctorate Degree $1,356
Professional Degree $1,510
Average Weekly Master's Degree $1,274
Earnings
Bachelor's Degree $969
by Level of Education in
Utah for 2009* Associate's Degree $701
Some College, No Degree $750
High School Diploma or GED $679
Less than High School Diploma $481
*Based on individuals 25 years of age or older.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Current Population Survey
12 May/June 2010

13. Education Pay$
E very year in the months of May and June, colleges and
universities across the nation hold their traditional
commencement ceremonies. According to the U.S.
National Center for Education Statistics, just over three mil-
lion postsecondary degrees were conferred in 2007. Given
though the explanations of differ-
ences in concentration across oc-
cupations or industries suggested
themselves, the data does not
support either of these hypoth-
that the number of degrees conferred has increased steadily eses. A definitive explanation
every year over the last several decades, it is safe to expect cannot be provided without
that at least another three million degrees will be awarded further research.
in 2010.
Unemployment Rates by
After hundreds of lectures, countless hours of study, and Educational Attainment
dozens of exams, many students have likely pondered the The second way in which education
same question: Is it worth it? The evidence provided below pays can be viewed as an indirect
supports a resounding “yes!” to this question. While the benefit of higher education. In a
benefits of higher education are numerous, the focus here sense, an unemployment rate can be
rests on only two. First, a direct benefit of higher educational interpreted as the probability of becoming
attainment is a higher expected level of earnings. Second, unemployed. This probability will vary from
an indirect benefit of higher education is the reduction in group to group depending on the characteristics
the probability of becoming unemployed. Two different that determine the groups. When the groups are determined
methods are used to illustrate the relationship between by level of education, a clear and distinct relationship
education levels and unemployment rates. between unemployment and education appears. (The
unemployment rates were estimated using the CPS data for
Earnings by Educational Attainment
Utah.)
When most people think about the ways in which education
pays, the first thought that comes to mind is earnings. One Although the correlation is not perfect, the graph shows
way to determine if education pays is to consider the average that the unemployment rate generally decreases for each
weekly earnings by level of education. The data used to higher level of educational attainment. In 2005, the
estimate the average weekly earnings by level of education unemployment rate steadily decreases with each increase in
was taken from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Current Population the level of education, except for one incongruity. While
Survey (CPS). Using the 12 monthly national samples for those with master’s degrees had a lower unemployment rate
2009, the Utah portions were extracted and pooled together. than those with professional or doctorate degrees, not too
(Because the sample size for Utah is relatively small, the much significance should be placed on this result. Because
pooling of the data helps to improve the reliability of the the total number of individuals in the sample with either
estimates.) a professional or doctorate degree is rather small, just one
additional unemployed individual in this category can have
As the graph reveals, average weekly earnings tend to in- a large impact on the unemployment rate.
crease with higher levels of education. However, the correla-
tion is not perfect. At the highest educational levels, those Turning to 2009, the relationship between unemployment
with doctorate degrees earn less, on average, than those with and level of education is again nearly perfect. The one
professional degrees. Perhaps this should not be viewed as discrepancy is that those with an associate degree have
an anomaly. The five highest paying occupations in Utah a higher unemployment rate than those with only some
fall under the occupational category of healthcare practitio- college, but no degree. These two categories of educational
ners, all of which require a professional degree. The one attainment were precisely the same ones that exhibited a
unexpected result was that those with associate degrees earn similar inconsistency with respect to earnings. Again, no
less than those with only some college, but no degree. Al- clear explanation presents itself.
continued
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 13

14. insider news | by mark knold and john krantz, economists
Given the fact that those with postsecondary
degrees have a lower probability of becoming
unemployed, the costs associated with obtaining
a higher education are clearly worth it.
continued from page 14
Initial Unemployment Claims el were used, and most offer a represen-
and Education tative fit with a zip code. Tracts whose
25-and-older population comprised
The year 2009 was notable for the
80 percent or more with an education
high volume of initial unemployment
level below an associate degree are rep-
claims generated in Utah. That volume
resented on the Wasatch Front map
was the highest since the early 1980s.
with a red dot. There appears to emerge
The Utah Department of Workforce
a strong correlation that, the lower the
Services is able to record the number of
education level by Census Tracts with-
initial claims filed down to the zip code
in a zip code, the higher the amount of
level. As the accompanying map shows,
initial unemployment claims that will
claims were pervasive across the state,
emerge for that zip code.
but there are certain “hot spots” that
emerge with more claims than other The resulting analysis makes a strong
areas. Not surprisingly, these are found case for the concept that the higher
in the Wasatch Front with its higher the education level an individual has
concentration of population. But even attained, the less likely one is to become
within this metropolitan area, there are a laid-off worker. Other social and
areas with relatively low quantities of economic characteristics were tested
initial unemployment claims. for correlation, including population
counts, income, and age distribution,
This raises the question of why some
but none showed a strong correlation.
areas are more prone to high levels of
The industry mix in a zip code is not
unemployment claims than others.
a factor, because the initial claims are
Along the Wasatch Front, those areas
recorded by where a person lives, not
emerge as eastern Tooele County, West
where their job was located.
Valley City, northern Davis County, and
most of central and northern Weber Higher Education is Worth It
County. What characteristic might tie
them all together? It turns out that Obtaining a postsecondary degree is not
the answer is education. without its costs. Full-time students who
do not work while attending college not
Each of these areas is charac- only incur the direct costs of tuition and
terized with a high percentage books, but also the opportunity cost of
of its population with educa- the income that could have been earned
tion levels less than an asso- instead of going to college. However, the
ciate degree. This was revealed increase in expected lifetime earnings for
by overlaying education results individuals with a bachelor’s degree or
from the 2000 Census on top of higher is much larger that the amount
the initial unemployment claims. This needed to cover these educational costs.
does not result in a perfect match, as If we add in the fact that those with post-
Census data is not available at the zip secondary degrees have a lower probabil-
code level. But for this analysis, educa- ity of becoming unemployed, it is clear
tion levels down to the Census tract lev- that higher education is worth it.
14 May/June 2010

15. 

White space assumes missing zip code parameters
Zip Codes
Zip Codes Initial Unemployment Claims
3,000 - 5,500
Initial Unemployment Claims
1,500 - 2,999

3,000 - 5,500
100 - 1,499
1,500 - 2,999
100 - 1,499
1 - 99 1 - 99
EDUCATION LEVEL BY CENSUS TRACT 2000
80% or More with less than an Associates Degree
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Unemployment 
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   
   
   
By Zip Code


 
 

 





January 2009 



through


December 2009
There appears to
emerge a strong
correlation that, the
lower the education
level by Census Tracts 

within a zip code, the 

higher the amount of
initial unemployment 0 10 20 40
Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services
60 80
Miles
0 3 6 12 18 24
Miles
Zip Codes
claims that will Zip Codes
Zip Codes
Initial Unemployment Claims
Initial Unemployment Claims
Initial Unemployment Claims

3,000 - 5,500
3,000- - 5,500

3,000 - 5,500
emerge for that 1,500 2,999
1,500 - 2,999
1,500 - 2,999
100 - 1,499
100 - 1,499
100 - 1,499
1 - 99
1 - - 99
1 99
zip code. Wasatch Front Initial EDUCATION LEVEL BY CENSUS TRACT 2000
EDUCATION LEVEL BY CENSUS TRACT 2000
EDUCATION LEVEL BY CENSUS TRACT 2000
Unemployment Claims 80% or More with less than an Associates Degree
80% or More with less than an Associates Degree
80% or More with less than an
Associates Degree
By Zip Code
January 2009 through  
 


 
 
 
 




December 2009 




 
 









 
 









 
 


  
 
 
 

 

 
 




   
   
    
    


  
  


   
   
 
  



   
   



 


 











Source: Utah Department of Workforce Services.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 15

16. what's happening | by nate talley, economist
Fourth Quarter 2009 Job Vacancy Study
Help Wanted
But Not By Employers
Is Utah's economy embarking on a
recovery? If so, expect the next study
to be far less gloomy.
R esults from the Department
of Workforce Services’ Fourth
Quarter 2009 Job Vacancy Study
(JVS) empirically confirm what many
Utahns—and certainly job seekers—are
I’ll present a simple graph instead. It
seems that during the current down-
turn, there are a few industries that
receive high levels of media attention
for their economic difficulties. The fi-
an hour most recently. Openings in the
healthcare industry are the primary
contributor to the increase in the re-
gional average wage, as those openings
accounted for 17.8 percent of all open-
all too familiar with, that is, that the nance, construction and manufactur- ings in the region and offered an aver-
demand for labor in Utah is not what it ing sectors come to mind as recipients age hourly wage of $16.90. There were
used to be. This deficiency in demand of steady news coverage, although that numerous openings with above-aver-
is commonly (and for the most part, list is by no means exhaustive. The ac- age offered wages. These included jobs
rightfully) attributed to the affects of companying graph illustrates the num- in engineering, nursing and computer
the well-publicized national recession ber of openings in the aforementioned software development, just to name a
which began in December of 2007. industries during each year that the JVS few. Further, for those job seekers look-
While the cause of Utah’s relatively low was administered in Metro Utah. ing for immediate work, there were sev-
labor demands may be apparent, Utah’s eral occupations such as cashiers, cus-
demand for labor remains worthy of re- As the graph clearly indicates, finance, tomer service representatives and food
search and quantification. construction and manufacturing called preparation and serving workers that
for healthy amounts of labor during posted hundreds of openings.
During the fourth quarter of 2009, Met- 2004, 2005 and 2007. In 2008 and
ropolitan Utah—which is comprised 2009, however, those calls were severe- Many economists believe that Utah’s
of nine counties along the Wasatch ly muffled (and nearly muted in the economy is embarking on a recovery.
Front—posted a job vacancy rate of 1.5 construction industry). If that’s the case, expect the next Job
percent, meaning that, for every 100 Vacancy Study to be far less gloomy. If
jobs in the area there were 1.5 open- At this point we’ll focus on what’s in they’re wrong, maybe I’ll write about
ings. By contrast, the 2008 study un- the glass (or in this case what’s in Utah’s something more cheery next year.
covered a rate of 1.8 percent, and the economy) rather than what is not. It Teenage vampires, anyone?
year before that the job vacancy rate turns out that the average offered wage
was 3.3 percent. I could continue with for all openings in Metro Utah is up
the most melancholy of statistics, but from $13.40 an hour in 2008 to $14.10
16 May/June 2010

17. 2004-2009 Metropolitan
Job Vacancy Study Openings and Vacancy Rates
45,000
40,000
Number of Openings
35,000
30,000 3.3
25,000 2.9
20,000 1.8
2.1
15,000 1.5
10,000
5,000
0
2003 2004 2005 2006* 2007 2008 2009 2010
*Utah did not conduct a JVS in 2006
Source: Fourth Quarter 2004-2005, 2006-2009 Job Vacancy Studies, Utah Department of Workforce Services.
"Recession-Attention" Industries
4,000
3,500
Finance
Number of Openings*
3,000
Construction
2,500
Manufacturing
2,000
1,500
1,000
500
0
2004 2005 2007 2008 2009
*Openings data pertains to the Metropolitan Utah JVS area
Utah did not conduct a JVS in 2006
Source: Fourth Quarter 2004-2005, 2006-2009 Job Vacancy Studies, Utah Department of Workforce Services.
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 17

18. occupations | by linda marling church, research analyst
Emerging Occupations:
How Times Change
18 May/June 2010

19. I In past eras, a ticket writer hand wrote or painted price
tickets on goods displayed for sale and painted window
display signs, creating an aesthetically pleasing and
informative work of art in a store window. A hair seat
merchant dealt in horsehair stuffing used in upholstery.
information system analysts must be educated in GIS
software, geography, city planning, cartography and geology.
Because of the diversity of educational background required,
many college students are now earning multiple majors.
Today we have pricing tickets that are electronically printed How does an occupation get a listing with BLS? Adding a
and scanned and chair seats that are cushioned with man- new job title can be confusing and elusive. Is it a variation
made polyester fill.These are only two “old” occupations of duties similar to an existing title or is there a true
that illustrate how much evolution and change occurs in departure from existing skills that would warrant the
occupations--they certainly are not static. addition of an occupation? The biennial Occupational
Employment Statistics (OES) Survey conducted by BLS in
As defined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), which partnership with all the state workforce agencies, measures
determines whether an occupation should be added to employment and wages for existing occupations. Most
government publications, an emerging occupation is one responses from employers will fall under existing Standard
that has been recognized in small numbers that have Occupational Classification (SOC) codes. Where a SOC code
continued to grow. Occupations usually emerge from does not apply, research analysts at the state level determine
advancement in technology, changes in laws and regulations, whether the occupation fits into an existing SOC code. If it
and demographics. Recently they have derived from war doesn’t it is recorded in a residual “all other” category and
and terrorism, natural disasters and global competition passed along, with explanation, to BLS employees at the
also. According to BLS, small companies--those with fewer regional and national level for review. New and emerging
than 50 employees--generate the greatest percentage of occupations are determined based on these reviews.
emerging occupations since they can respond more quickly
to consumer trends and technological advances than large In 2010 the SOC was revised to include information security
corporations. analysts and web developers in the major group Computer
and Mathematical Science Occupations (15-0000). Neither
Two examples of emerging occupations are search engine occupation had been specifically named in the 2000 version
optimization (SEO) and data miners. SEO analysts test and of SOC. Some occupations were moved from one major
analyze keywords, titles and copy for search engines and group to another. SOC is the measurement of long-existing,
directories and track and present web metrics to show a new and emerging occupations; it is dynamic and reflects
company’s return on investment. SEO is established enough the ever-changing face of occupations in the U.S.
to have its own association and trade group. Data miners
search database applications for hidden patterns in order Other Resources:
to predict future behavior. A web search is never just a web • www.bls.gov/oco/
search, is it? • www.jobweb.com
• National Association of Colleges and Employers
Emerging occupations are unfolding as multi-disciplinary, • http://www.utah.gov/careers/explore.html
specialized and international. For instance, geographic • http://www.utah.gov/careers/investigate.html
number of new Job titles in 2010
Business & Financial 1
Computer & Mathematical Science 4
Community & Social Services 1
Education, Training, Library 2
Healthcare Practitioner & Technical 2
Other Healthcare Practitioner & Technical 8
Protective Service 1
Personal Care & Service 1
Office And Administrative Support 1
Construction & Extraction 1
Installation, Maintenance, Repair 1
Production 1
jobs.utah.gov/wi Trendlines 19