DWS News

April 9, 2008
Contact: Curt Stewart (801) 526-4315

DWS Releases New Data on Job Vacancies

Salt Lake City - 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/jvs2008.

The Job Vacancy Study, conducted during the fourth quarter of 2007, measured the quantity and characteristics of vacant jobs in Utah by various geographic areas. It showed, for that quarter, what occupations were most in demand, which industries had the most vacant jobs and it identifies possible labor shortages and/or skill gaps in the labor force.

Nearly 3,500 Utah employers were surveyed across every major industrial sector except for agriculture. The survey enjoyed a 62 percent response rate, equaling 2,144 active employers that fell within the survey’s scope.

“This study helps us to quantify and characterize the current demand for labor in Utah,” said Nate Talley, the economist who supervised the study. “Those seeking employment can use it to see what occupations are vacant and what attributes best qualify applicants to fill those vacancies. Conversely, employers can use study results to profile what labor shortages or skill gaps may exist in occupations for which they intend to hire.”

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 the Uintah Basin (Daggett, Duchesne and Uintah counties).

The full report can also be seen on the web at http://jobs.utah.gov/opencms/wi/pubs/jvs2008.

For more information on the Job Vacancy Study, please contact Nate Talley at 801-526-9323.

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