2008 Workforce Projections for Wyoming
Research and Planning of the Wyoming Department of Employment has come out with their 2008 projections for Industries and Occupations in Wyoming. Sara Saulcy, Senior Economist for the dept., points out that the data shows that Wyoming's population is projected to grow by 39,456 people between 2000 and 2020, an increase of 8%. Of that growth, it is estimated that 3/4 will be between the ages of 60 and 69. But that it is estimated that those between 40-49 is expected to decrease by 18,154. This growth in the aging population is astonishing. Sara Saulcy points out that this aging workforce will impact the health care industry with increased demand, but that it will also be positive for younger workers who will have more opportunities from retiring employees. This may not be so great for employers who may have increased costs for training and the loss of institutional memory in their organizations. Also with more retirements, there will an increased pressure on the already short labor supply, driving wages higher.
As for projections in the leisure and hospitality field, they are estimating 6054 new jobs by 2014. This increase of 18.6% is lower than the statewide average for all jobs of 25.8%. Most of the growth will be seen in accomodation, food services and drinking places. Teton County is included in the Southwest region (Uinta, Sweetwater, Lincoln, Sublette, Teton). In the Southwest region the top employment is still leisure and hospitality with 10,203 jobs. That number is estimated to go to 12,242 by 2014, which is a 20% jump. Leisure and Hospitality is still #2 statewide (behind education and health care) at 32,601.
The full report can be found at http://doe.state.wy.us/LMI/projections_08_14.pdf