Think tanks, government entities and economists consistently provide us with data and projections about employment and occupational trends. Whether it’s by month, year or into the future, they provide us with a steady diet of updates that might affect our workforce. We’re left wondering if we’ll be able to recruit and train enough workers to meet the demands of our industry and company. Or, if we’ll need to streamline our employee population to drive profitability in the face of a slowing economy.
These are just a couple of the many questions employers face when they see projections about employment and industries gaining and shrinking. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), through the Employment Projections program has released its 10-year projections covering more than 800 occupations and nearly 300 industries. The study reports that U.S. employment is anticipated to grow 5.3% adding roughly 8.3 million new jobs during the period of 2021 – 2031. It further highlights the industries and jobs that will grow and decline.
While this data is significant to the workforce overall, it may be even more important to workers with disabilities and companies that employ them. Can people with disabilities or chronic illnesses count on their employers to meet their accessibility needs? And for those industries and occupations that are expected to grow in the next decade, will they provide the culture, workplace accommodations and commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB) to attract and retain capable workers with disabilities?
Key Industries To Experience Growth Or Decline In Next Decade
According to the BLS’s Employment Projections, the industries expected to add the most jobs from 2021 – 2031 are:
· Healthcare, accounting for one-quarter of the 8.3 million jobs projected in the 10-year period.
· Food preparation and serving.
· Management.
· Transportation and material moving.
· Business and financial.
In our work with clients re-entering the workforce in the past six months, we have observed an increase in retail, health care, transportation, customer service, food service, security, education and janitorial jobs, which supports the BLS long-range projections.
While the reasons for growth in these sectors are many, a few stand out:
· The aging population requiring more health-related services.
· The acceleration of e-commerce and online shopping.
· The rebound of restaurant dining and catered entertainment events post COVID-19.
But not every occupational sector is expected to grow. Some occupations will remain flat such as farming, fishing and forestry, while others including production, sales, and office /administrative are anticipated to decline over the 10-year period. In my experience, this means that people who are returning to the workforce with a disability will need to explore those areas of growth where they may have more opportunity to find jobs that meet their needs. Generally, those returning to work through Social Security’s Ticket to Work Program look for job security, livable wages, flexible work schedules, benefits, more purposeful work, safe working conditions and supportive management.
Employment Networks Help Prepare SSDI Beneficiaries For Jobs
In February 2023, the BLS reported that approximately 25% of people with disabilities are working in skilled trade professions with the largest share, 37%, in transportation. Other sectors where workers with disabilities are utilizing their trade skills are:
- Production – 27%.
- Construction – 19%.
- Installation, maintenance and repair – 14%.
- Farming, fishing, forestry and extraction – 3%.
We see in the 10-year projections that those areas where workers in skilled trades are currently employed are more inclined to remain flat or weaken over the next 10 years. As we look at the employment and job trends over the next decade — growth and decline — it is vital for people with disabilities who are going back to work to make sure they have the necessary training and skills to perform the job. Whether it’s refreshing skills from former jobs or learning new ones such as project management, coding or web-based design, building a strong resume to qualify for positions in this new reality is key.
Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) beneficiaries who are returning to work through the Ticket to Work (TTW) Program can turn to Employment Networks for support and guidance during their transition. Among the many services Employment Networks provide include:
· Access to job banks that spotlight positions for people with disabilities.
· Help with resumes, job applications and mock interviews.
· Ongoing employment counseling and mentoring.
· Benefits counseling.
· Assistance with talking to your employer about accommodations.
Savvy employers know that some of their best and most productive team members are those with disabilities who are not only highly knowledgeable and skilled, but eager to work and demonstrate loyalty. This is especially true for those who may have been sidelined by a serious illness or disability, received disability insurance benefits and are now ready to reenter the workforce.
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