Growth in skilled labor trades
MARQUETTE -- The votes are in and our Facebook viewers want to know about job growth. What are the most aggressively growing industries in the U.P.?
Analysts say in the U.P., there actually are many growing job sectors. However, as the amount of jobs created rises, so does the bar on the amount of credentials and experience these employers require a winning candidate to possess.
Nearly all of our Facebook viewers weighed in Thursday that they believed health care will continue to create new jobs in the future.
Lisa Sutinen writes: "There is no real industry (large factories) in the U.P., the ones that do well are related to the health care industry, where there will always be customers."
Analysts say that is true, but what's required to obtain a job in the industry has changed.
"There are going to be a lot of jobs, but we're also seeing the credentials for the people filling those jobs in health care are starting to increase and creep upward," said NMU Sam M. Cohodas Professor Tawni Ferrarini.
That's the case with many growing industries. Analysts say there are pockets of growth primarily in the highly skilled service sector; they have high paying jobs, but they require education and certifications.
According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, we should expect to see the most job creation in the form of personal financial advisors, home health aides and real estate agents.
The story may be different in each small community, so it's important to evaluate your surroundings.
"It's important for people to pay attention to where their local economy is, but also look at their own market.," Ferrarini said. "The best place to do that is the Bureau of Labor Statistics."
Natural resources is one sector that's projected to grow in the Upper Peninsula, and people are taking notice.
Matt Johnson of Rio Tinto's Kennecott Eagle Mine Project said 70 percent of traffic on their web page is directed at their careers site.
"Rio Tinto's Eagle Project employs approximately 300 people in the local community," said Johnson. "We'll see those numbers increase as we refurbish the Humboldt Mill this summer."
If you are interested in finding out more information about jobs with Rio Tinto, you can stop in their information station on Washington Street in Marquette or click here. More job resource information available here.
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