Registered nursing, wholesale and manufacturing sales, tractor-trailer truck drivers, retail sales personnel and customer service representatives will be the occupations with the highest number of openings in 2012, according to a study by the Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED). The Department’s research arm, the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC), has developed a real-time jobs analysis tool to develop regular reports on top openings around the state, with projections data that will indicate what to expect over the next 2 and 10-year periods.
“We are encouraged at the direction of Missouri’s economy, with our state unemployment rate now at its lowest point in three years,” said Chris Pieper, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development. “We want to keep that positive trend continuing by doing everything we can to create jobs in Missouri, and the Best Bets for Missouri Jobs study by MERIC provides timely advice to assist job seekers as to where to search for employment.”
MERIC’s study points to healthcare as the industry that will experience the highest number of openings in 2012, continuing a familiar trend.
“The healthcare industry weathered the national recession well and keeps growing,” said Alan Spell, Director of MERIC. “And with a nationwide aging of the population, healthcare providers are going to continue to need nurses.”
Second and third on the list are wholesale and manufacturing sales and truck driving, which go hand-in-hand. The demand for truck drivers is related to the need to move goods. With manufacturing picking up in Missouri with nearly 8,000 new jobs created in 2011, the trucking industry searching will have a continued need for more drivers.
Looking beyond the current year MERIC has also developed, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, long-term employment projections through 2018. Topping a list of occupations that have high growth rates and at least a 1,000 openings are home health and personal care aides, network systems and data communication analysts, self-enrichment education teachers, pharmacy technicians and compliance officers.
Current openings used by the real-time jobs tool will be posted on the state’s job board, which can be found at www.MissouriCareerSource.com. Those searching for employment are also encouraged to visit their local Career Center, administered by DED’s Division of Workforce Development (DWD).
“With this important employer demand information and the valuable skill development products and assistance available at local Missouri Career Centers, job seekers across the state will be able to connect with exciting careers in a variety of growing sectors,” said DWD Director Julie Gibson. “Call 1-888-728-JOBS or visit MissouriCareerSource.com to get started today!”