New ODJFS Publications Outline Potential
for Job Growth in Stark County and the StateFollowing the U.S. Bureau of L
abor Statistics announcement
that Ohio led the nation in job growth in April, a new document issued by the
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) takes on special
significance for the state and Stark County's emerging focus on fuel cells and high
tech industries.
A Statistical Dilemma: New and Emerging Occupations[1]notes the difficulty in "fully defin(ing) the characteristics of these
occupations, much less their potential growth, their prominence in industries,
and whether they will be part of the next economic expansion or remain on the
periphery of the economy."
ODJFS states that occupations of this nature are seldom
captured in surveys until they become commonplace. Another publication looking at
standard occupations,
2016 Job Outlook Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area[2], is one of eight covering the state's eight
largest MSAs.
Service providing
industries, including wholesale and retail trades, will see the greatest change
in conventional employment in the Canton-Massillon area, adding 7,800
positions. Health care will follow with an increase of 4,200 jobs.
However, for Stark County and the rest of the state,
the issue of new and emerging occupations still remains a critical one. As
ODJFS notes, "The(se) occupations may represent the beginnings of technological
and industry breakthroughs and be the keys to competitive advantage for new
industries or product developments."
