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WASHINGTON – White House economic advisers expect to see extensive growth over the next decade in health care, transportation, construction and clean energy, according to a report released earlier today.
The report, released by the Council of Economic Advisers, said the U.S economy is shifting toward jobs that require employees with “greater analytical and interactive skills,” and that occupations requiring higher educational attainment will grow faster than those with lower education requirements.
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Health care jobs, particularly those in information technology, nursing, physical therapy and clinical labs will “remain a large source” of growth, the report said. Manufacturing jobs in the aerospace and pharmaceutical industries also are expected to grow, moderating a decades-long decline in the share of manufacturing workers.
The report said that the White House expects jobs related to clean energy and environmental protection, one of the main targets of the federal stimulus package, to “experience tremendous growth.”
The council, which based its prediction on an analysis of labor-market data, expects the construction industry to “recover and also add jobs over the coming decade,” the report said. Retail jobs, by contrast, will “contract somewhat in terms of employment share,” because consumer spending is expected to slow.
The report, entitled “Preparing the Workers of Today for the Jobs of Tomorrow,” highlighted “worker flexibility” as key given ongoing technological change and the “dynamic nature” of the U.S. labor market. The report cited the rapid growth in environmental-related occupations, for which data did not exist prior to 2000, as an example of accelerating technological change and the need for workers to be prepared for “ever-changing opportunities.”
The report said the current education and training arrangement could be improved. Under the current system, students frequently go through “multiple spells of attendance at post-secondary institutions,” resulting in few meaningful credentials or degrees. A better approach would align curricula into “career pathways” beginning as early as middle school. The system could be improved by partnering with employers to make sure training and education programs match their needs.
A 30-page PDF version of the report is available online.
Additional information on expected job growth and the Council of Economic Advisors is available at: www.whitehouse.gov.
