MORE OREGON JOBS THAN WORKERS
WIDE-OPEN JOB MARKET IN OREGON
There has likely never been a more advantageous time for job seekers in the state of Oregon.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 56,000 people Oregonians resigned from their jobs in October 2021, accounting for 3% of the state’s workforce. Workers recognized that they had options once everything started reopening after COVID-related shutdowns, and they were taking them. For example, stores that ran out of toilet paper products early during the pandemic now don’t have sufficient staff to stock the shelves. Now, Oregon companies are advertising sign-on bonuses to replace employees they have lost.
There are record-high numbers of job openings in Oregon. According to Gail Krumenauer, an Oregon employment economist, this last summer there were 107,000 open jobs in the private sector alone. While the national unemployment rate sits at around 3.9%, Oregon’s is 4.2%, a relatively low number.
Many factors have contributed to this trend, in addition to the pandemic. Higher wage earners enable families to live on one member’s income. With families concerned about COVID
dangers, childcare, and online schooling, a second adult may not need to return to work as quickly. With some sacrifices, the family can make do for a while without a second income. Large unemployment payouts throughout the pandemic, combined with federal stimulus checks, also have enabled Oregon households to make do with one working adult, for a time.
An aging population has caused an increased demand for healthcare jobs, one of the fastest-growing job sectors. Many of these new positionss are in data analysis and technology. Health care and technical skill education are essential for these positions, and almost all these job openings require a bachelor’s degree.
The fastest-growing job markets are in sectors that lost many jobs during the pandemic recession in 2020. Jobs that require additional education do pay more but are overshadowed by jobs that don’t require education beyond high school. Many large occupation groups experience high turnover rates and don’t require any prior training.
People with at least a high-school level education are in the highest demand for jobs in hospitality and tourism, animal care, or as travel agents, interpreters, media and communications workers, personal care aides, housekeepers, cooks, food service, and retail or customer service representatives.
High-demand jobs requiring training or certification up to a college associate degree include truck drivers, nurses, nursing assistants, dental hygienists, electricians, and massage therapists.
According to the state of Oregon Employment Department, the average federal student loan debt is around $30,000 per graduate, and college enrollment among recent high school graduates decreased by 3.5% in 2020. Enrollment in college institutions rebounded in autumnl
2021, although community colleges continue to be most negatively affected, with enrollment dropping 24% since 2019.
With a combination of the upheaval caused by COVID, increased employment opportunities and wages, and a very different college experience than that seen before, there have been increasing delays in college attendance. For example, the Employment Department found that most state universities in Oregon saw a 5% decline in enrollment from 2019 to 2021.
For anyone who needs help finding or preparing for a job, Worksource Oregon has a full range of services. Job seekers will be partnered with a career coach to help them develop a career plan that is right for them. The employment agency also provides free training on resumes, interviewing, and networking. It can also help with housing, transportation, childcare, internet, textbooks, school fees, work clothes, and more.
Sources:
https://www.qualityinfo.org/-/college-enrollment-among-recent-high-school-grads-declined-in-2020
https://worksourceoregon.org/jobseekers
Leave a comment