BLS Projections Confirm Need for Postsecondary Career Education

The Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Projections for 2018 – 2028 confirm the need for postsecondary career education in sustaining America’s workforce.  The Bureau projects total employment will grow by 8.4 million over the next nine years.    
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“The data confirms what we already know – the career programs offered by our sector’s schools reflect the nation’s projected growth,” said Steve Gunderson, President of Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU).

The numbers show strong projected job growth in twelve key occupations. This growth in job opportunities comes from new jobs being created and people leaving the workforce (separations) due to retirement, job changes and returning to school. The aggregate demand, which combines these two figures, illustrates how important it is that students continue to have access to career education. Looking at the top twelve occupational programs offered by CECU Schools provides compelling data for the important mission of the sector:

• Medical Assistants:
  • Projected 23% growth in the decade
  • 154,900 new jobs
  • 842,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 997,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 99,700 average annual demand
• Cosmetology, Hair Stylist, Barbers:
  • Projected 8% growth in the decade
  • 63,900 new jobs
  • 983,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 1.047 million aggregated demand by 2028
  • 104,700 average annual demand
• Registered Nurses:
  • Projected 12% growth in the decade
  • 371,500 new jobs
  • 1.733 million total jobs due to separations
  • 2.1 million aggregated demand by 2028
  • 210,400 average annual demand
• Massage Therapists:
  • Projected 22% growth in the decade
  • 35,400 new jobs
  • 207,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 242,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 24,200 average annual demand
• Dental Assistants:
  • Projected 11% growth in the decade
  • 38,700 new jobs
  • 409,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 448,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 44,800 average annual demand
• Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN):
  • Projected 11% growth in the decade
  • 78,100 new jobs
  • 585,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 663,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 66,300 average annual demand
• Culinary Chef:
  • Projected 11% growth in the decade
  • 15,400 new jobs
  • 192,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 207,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 20,700 average annual demand
• Commercial Truck Operator:
  • Projected 5% growth in the decade
  • 99,700 new jobs
  • 2.284 million total jobs due to separations
  • 2.384 million aggregated demand by 2028
  • 238,400 average annual demand
• Pharmacy Technicians:
  • Projected 8% growth in the decade
  • 31,500 new jobs
  • 352,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 385,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 38,500 average annual demand
• Medical Office Assistant:
  • Projected 11% growth in the decade
  • 23,100 new jobs
  • 144,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 168,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 16,800 average annual demand
• HVAC Technician:
  • Projected 13% growth in the decade
  • 46,300 new jobs
  • 382,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 428,000 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 42,800 average annual demand
• Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
  • Projected 3.4% growth in the decade
  • 14,500 new jobs
  • 473,000 total jobs due to separations
  • 488,800 aggregated demand by 2028
  • 48,800 average annual demand

In 2017, CECU announced a Campaign to Create 5 Million Career Professionals. The first two years of the campaign have reported 1,227,129 new career professionals. The third year’s results will be announced at the CEO Summit on November 13 and 14 in San Diego.

Data for occupations is at the BLS website:  www.bls.gov/ooh. 

Data for occupational separations can be found at https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/occupational-separations-and-openings.htm.

Glossary

Projected growth – The projected percentage change in the number of people employed in the sector between 2018-28.

New jobs – The projected total change in the number of people employed in the sector between 2018-28.

Total jobs due to separations – The projected total number of job openings as a result of people leaving the sector (e.g. switching jobs, retirement, going back to school).

Average annual demand – The annual number of separations + the annual number of new jobs created. The annual number was calculated by taking 10% of the 10-year total.
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Aggregated demand by 2028 – The combined number of separations (people exiting the sector) + the total number of new jobs created over the decade.