EDD highlights top in-demand jobs in eight regions, offers tips for job seekers

September 2, 2015 - SACRAMENTO – In recognition of Labor Day, California’s Employment Development Department (EDD) today released its annual Labor Day Briefing that shows the state – with its four years of strong continued job growth and steadily falling unemployment – is leading the nation in economic expansion. EDD also identifies the top in-demand jobs in eight regions of California, and offers resources for job seekers on its new Labor Day 2015 web page. 

“This report confirms California’s economic leadership,” said EDD Director Patrick W. Henning, Jr. “Many Californians have struggled to regain their foothold in the job market, but thanks to their resilience and the state’s current jobs expansion, the Golden State is back – and in a big way.” 

The state’s unemployment rate, which peaked at 12.2 percent in 2010, has declined steadily over the last five years – dropping more than one percent over just the last year to the current 6.2 percent in July, the lowest rate since February 2008. Over the past year (July 2014 to July 2015), California added more than 494,000 nonfarm-jobs – more than any state in the nation. For comparison, Florida and Texas ranked second and third, with gains totaling 271,500 and 260,500 nonfarm jobs, respectively. California’s job gains in July also were the 34th consecutive month in which the state’s year-over job gains have exceeded 400,000 jobs. 

Job growth has been broad based throughout California’s economy, with 10 of the state’s 11 major industry sectors posting year-over job gains in July. The largest gains occurred in the professional and business services sector, which added 156,100 jobs. Notably, nearly 60 percent of these jobs (or 89,900) were generated in the sector’s high-skill and high-wage professional, scientific, and technical services subsector. 

Three other California industry sectors gained more than 50,000 jobs over the last year: 
 Trade, transportation and utilities: up 83,700 jobs 
 Leisure and hospitality: up 71,000 jobs 
 Educational and health services: up 67,200 jobs

“As California’s job opportunities continue to expand, the employment services of EDD and our partners are available to assist those looking to find and fill those growing jobs or to further develop their careers,” said Henning. 

To help California’s job seekers connect with in-demand jobs, EDD’s Labor Day 2015 web page features the eight regionalized employment reports with job-growth projections, and useful information to help develop careers. The web page includes:

 Top-ten industry clusters and occupations with projected job opportunities in: 
o Northern California
o San Francisco Bay Area 
o San Joaquin Valley 
o Sacramento Area
o Southern California 
o Eastern Sierra
o Southern Border 
o Coastal Region 


 Information about common skills and work activities for the various occupations; 
 The level of education required for the top in-demand jobs, along with their median annual and hourly wages, and the number of recent online announcements for these jobs as well as short term projections; 
 A Toolbox for Job Seekers with resources for career exploration, job seeking, and training, including CalJOBS – California’s online job matching system; 
 “The Path To Your Next Job,” a new video that gives job seekers ten easy-to-follow steps to employment; and 
 Labor Day Success Stories, profiling job seekers who found their desired employment.

EDD projects 1.6 million job openings – combining new and replacement opportunities – and encourages job seekers to take advantage of the trends and growth occupations highlighted in the briefing, including:
 The professional and business services sector, which leads the way with 201,000 jobs projected over the next two years. Demand is expected to be high for software developers, accountants and auditors, web developers, computer user support specialists, executive secretaries and administrative assistants, bookkeepers and office clerks. 
 The educational services, health care and social assistance sector, with projected two-year growth of 150,500 jobs for medical and health services managers, registered nurses, medical assistants, teacher assistants, social and human service assistants and medical secretaries. 

Job seekers and business owners can also access no-fee employment services and training resources online and at America’s Job Centers of California (AJCCs). For more information and AJCC locations, visit the EDD website at www.edd.ca.gov.
Source: EDD