February 22, 2006
Contact: Curt Stewart 801.526.4315
A special study on job vacancies in Utah has just been released
by the Department of Workforce Services (DWS). It is on the DWS website at:
http://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/wi/pubs/jvs2005/.
The Job Vacancy Study, conducted during the fourth quarter of 2005, measures
the quantity and characteristics of vacant jobs in Utah by various geographic
areas. It shows, for that quarter, what occupations were most in demand, which
industries had the most vacant jobs, identifies hard-to-fill occupations, and
identifies possible labor shortages and/or skill gaps in the labor force.
The response rate was just under 62 percent, representing 2,728 responding employers—private
employers as well as local, state and federal government.
Results of the Job Vacancy Study were grouped into three geographic areas of
Utah: Metropolitan (Tooele, Utah, Wasatch, Summit, Morgan, Weber, Davis, Juab
and Salt Lake counties); Southwestern (Iron and Washington counties); and Uintah
Basin (Daggett, Duchesne, Uintah).
Nate Talley, who conducted the survey, says, “This survey gives us a good
look at the current job openings in Utah. Job seekers can use it to see what
kind of occupations are vacant, and employers can profile what labor shortages
or skills gaps exist in the labor market. The characteristics of those openings,
as reported by the employers, help us to profile the demands upon the labor
market, and identify possible labor shortages or skill gaps.”
Some highlights from the survey:
The job vacancy rate for Southwestern Utah measured 5.0 percent, meaning there
were five job vacancies per 100 jobs—up from a 3.1-percent rate a year
ago.
Construction still needs more labor. Its vacancy rate jumped to 6.5 percent
from 2.0 percent last year. Construction laborers and cement masons are in highest
demand.
For more information on the Job Vacancy Study, please contact Nate Talley at
801-526-9323.
# #DWS # #