Team NEO’s latest quarterly report says employment in Northeast Ohio will grow to more than 2.5 million workers in 2022, or an increase of 150,000. Nearly two-thirds of that increase will be jobs lost during the most recent recession.
Tom Waltermire is the group’s CEO. He outlines the three areas expected to see the most growth.
“Not surprisingly, the biggest area is health care," says Waltermire. "That covers everybody from doctors to orderlies in the hospital, all different skill levels. About 45,000 more people projected to be employed in that industry. Management, we’re expecting about 8,000 more positions. Business and finance, about 22,000 additional jobs over that period of time.”
Team NEO’s findings are based on regional and national gross product, and an analysis of what sectors are expected to grow in the Northeast Ohio region. Sales, administrative support, and food preparation have the most projected job openings in the next decade. Traditional sectors like manufacturing and construction will continue to be reliable employers for Northeast Ohio.
Waltermire says construction projects underway in the region highlight significant business investments that are helping the local economy.
“The Global Center for Health Innovation is about to open. Around the region, you have major new investment going on in the city of Kent…big re-development in their downtown. The Goodyear headquarters just opened. You have a number of hospital expansions around the region. Construction activity continues to look very good. Or much better, let’s say.”
But Waltermire warns that there needs to be a concentrated effort to keep young people trained and employed across Northeast Ohio, so that they’re ready to take on new job openings and those vacated by retirees in the years ahead….nearly 50,000.