Future job demand points to nursing, landscaping, software engineers - July 31, 2007

07-048

Media contacts: Jami Mills, 360-438-3233
Caitlin Cormier, 360-902-9215

Audio: http://fortress.wa.gov/esd/portal/info/newsroom/audiofiles/audionews/

OLYMPIA – People who are interested in careers in nursing, landscaping or computer-related occupations may find more jobs available to them in the coming years, according to a new report released by the state Employment Security Department.

The report forecasts the growth of industries and occupations up to 2014. 

For example, state economists predict an estimated 53,155 people will be employed as registered nurses in 2009.  That number will rise by 11 percent to 59,002 by 2014.  

Jobs for computer software application engineers should go from 28,057 in 2009 to 30,964 in 2014. 

Landscape workers and grounds-keepers, at 28,248 jobs in 2009, will grow to 31,478 jobs in 2014.

The report’s authors note that the occupation projections may not prove to be exact, but they do provide an indication of which jobs will have the greatest demand.

The projections are used by policy-makers and government officials to anticipate worker-training and other services that will be needed. But citizens also can use the information to help guide their career decisions, said Employment Security Commissioner Karen Lee. 

“If you’re looking for job security and want to know the types of jobs that will be in demand in the coming decade, this information can be helpful,” said Lee.

Compared with the national projections, Washington may have fewer jobs in management and production, but significantly more jobs in farming, science, architecture, engineering and computer-related fields. State projections are also more optimistic for office and administrative support, construction and extraction occupations.

“The projections provide the best guess about Washington’s industrial and occupational future,” said Employment Security’s chief economist, Evelina Tainer. “Over all, job growth remains steady.”

The “Employment Projections, Methodology and Results” report is available online at www.workforceexplorer.com, under What’s New.

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The “Employment Projections, Methodology and Results” report

Employment projections on the Web Medium and long-term industry projections

Short-term industry projections

Combined occupational projections

Medium and long-term occupational projections

Short-term occupational projections