News release from Northeast Indiana Works:
Report: Health Care Employment Opportunities Expected to Remain Strong Through 2024
(July 29, 2014) – Double?digit growth is expected across a wide spectrum of occupations in the health care and social assistance sector in northeast Indiana through 2024, according to projections released by Northeast Indiana Works in its July labor market report.
The projections, compiled by the Community Research Institute at IPFW (CRI), show the three largest health care employment areas will grow substantially in the next decade: nursing, psychiatric and home health aides, from 7,328 to 9,561 (30.5 percent); registered nurses, from 6,935 to 8,514 (22.8 percent); and licensed practical and vocational nurses, from 2,647 to 3,369 (24.4 percent).
Employment in a large catch?all category – miscellaneous healthcare support occupations – is also expected to rise substantially, from 3,282 to 3,943 (20.1 percent). That category includes dental assistants, medical assistants and phlebotomists.
By percentage, the fastest growing occupations are expected to be physical therapist assistants and aides, from 289 employees to 452 (56.4 percent); optometrists, from 90 to 134 (48.9 percent); and occupational therapy assistants and aides, from 118 to 172 (45.8 percent).
The fastest?growing industry within the sector among large employment categories is home health care services, which is expected to rise in the next decade from 2,599 employees to 4,861, or 87 percent.
Overall, according to the CRI, employment in the health care and social assistance sector will rise 28 percent through 2014, from 45,658 to 58,464. The average current wage of the jobs is $39,800 a year, exceeding the average wage of $37,704 for all northeast Indiana occupations.
The projections are based on data from Economic Modeling Specialists International, which takes into account the latest industry figures; 15?year past local trends; and growth rates statewide and nationally.
A recent snapshot of northeast Indiana employer needs shows these top online job postings in the health care and social assistance sector for the second quarter of 2014: registered nurses; nursing assistants; licensed practical and vocational nurses; medical and health services managers; and medical assistants. The snapshot, provided by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, lists these top online job ad certification requirements in the sector: cardiopulmonary resuscitation/automated external defibrillators; registered nurse; certified nursing assistant; certified medical assistant; and neonatal resuscitation.
“It is clear from the current and projected needs that we must work hard as a region to ensure that the skills, education and training we provide lines up with the demands of health care employers,” said Kathleen Randolph, president and CEO of Northeast Indiana Works. “Northeast Indiana is blessed with a robust, effective health care system and it is imperative that we supply the workforce necessary to keep the region on the leading edge of health care service innovation.
“Moreover, the fact that most of these jobs are well?paying underscores the importance of health care to the overall economy of northeast Indiana.”
About Northeast Indiana Works
Northeast Indiana Works, the region’s workforce investment board, provides public and private financial and employment resources to businesses and individuals for education and skills training to meet the needs of regional industries. The nonprofit sets policy for how public and private funds are utilized to support talent development. It also operates and staffs the 11 county?based WorkOne Northeast career centers in the region. Individuals and companies may access resources and services by visiting or calling WorkOne in their county. To find your local WorkOne, log on to www.workoneworks.com.
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