Publication Provides Snapshot of Region’s Workforce Needs
West Michigan Works! released this week its 2018 Hot Jobs list. The list contains the 100 top jobs in the region’s high-growth industries. For the seven-county West Michigan region, the highest demand is concentrated in health sciences and manufacturing.
High-demand occupations are defined as those that have significant openings in today’s job market; are expected to see considerable growth in the next five years; and can lead to self-sufficiency through living wages and opportunities for advancement. To create the list, West Michigan Works! gathered state labor market information and data from job analytic programs. The data is then presented to employers for feedback and insight to create a true representation of regional hiring needs.
Because of its West Michigan focus, the Hot Jobs List serves as a guide for many local institutions and organizations.
“GRCC considers West Michigan Works! a valued partner in the work we do. The Hot Jobs List contains important information for our students and our region.”
– Dr. Bill Pink, president of Grand Rapids Community College
Daniel Mitchell, a vocational rehabilitation counselor with the State of Michigan, relies on the list of the region’s top jobs to help consumers identify a vocational goal consistent with local labor market demand. “We use [the Hot Jobs! List] as a starting point for career exploration with all of our clients to give them a thorough understanding of which occupations provide the best opportunities for employment.”
The list is an important internal tool for West Michigan Works! staff to begin discussions around career exploration, to identify existing skills that would transfer into high-demand occupations and to inform decisions regarding funding for occupational training. New this year, the list identifies those careers that are approved for training scholarships.
“We’re grateful to the many partners that provide input into the Hot Jobs List because it starts with credible state labor market data and then receives intense scrutiny from our regional industry councils and employers, we are confident that the list provides solid guidance for students, job seekers and our workforce partners.”
-Jacob Maas, CEO of West Michigan Works!
View the 2018 Hot Jobs List online or download a PDF.
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