LANSING – Long-term employment projections show the state will see 7.4 percent job growth over a 10-year period, according to a report done by the state’s Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives.
The long-term industry employment projections reported in the past week say the state will see 0.7 percent job growth annually from 2014 to 2024.
Job growth or loss will vary considerably depending on the industry. For example, while natural resources and mining will see 1 percent growth by 2024, mining specifically is expected to lose 5.1 percent, or 340 jobs.
Government jobs are also expected to see a decline. State government will lose 1.1 percent of employees. Federal government may lose 10.9 percent, or 5,560 jobs.
Industries focused on business and services are expected to see the most growth. Construction is projected to gain 16,320 jobs. Professional, scientific and technical service jobs are expected to grow 15.9 percent, or add 43,730 jobs. The health care and social assistance industry is expected to add 75,410 jobs, and professional and business services are projected to add 79,000 to the industry.
Economic analyst Kevin Doyle of the Bureau of Labor Market Information and Strategic Initiatives said the 2024 projections are in line with recent statewide reports that only reach 2020 and 2022. He said the industries that performed well in the past are expected to continue to grow.
Doyle said west Michigan has the fastest growth rate of any region in the state, at nearly 10 percent. The region is about a point and a half above southeast Michigan, the region with the second-fastest growth.
“The region has been performing pretty well in terms of employment in the last few years, and these trends project that well,” he said.
The strongest sectors in the west Michigan region are health care, construction – both approximately 20 percent growth – and professional businesses and education.
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