The Demographics of The Demographics of Employment, Unemployment Employment, Unemployment and Labor Force and Labor Force Participation Participation in Mainein Maine

Educational attainment, age, gender, industry Educational attainment, age, gender, industry & occupation& occupation

Glenn MillsCenter for Workforce ResearchMaine Dept. of LaborGlenn.mills@maine.gov207-621-5192

Educational Attainment

Unemployment rates are highest and increased the most among those with the least education…

Educational Attainment

…Unemployment rates only partially reflect differences in work or non-work by educational attainment. Those with the least education are the most likely to be out of the labor force. (Those who are not employed and not actively seeking work are not counted as unemployed − they are not in the labor force.)

Age

Unemployment rates are highest and increased the most among young people…

Age

…Young people are less likely to be in the labor force.

Gender

Unemployment rates are highest among men reflecting high displacement from manufacturing and construction industries where they comprise the majority of employment

Industry

Employment is down significantly in sectors related to the production, transportation, and sale of goods and in state and local governments; employment has been relatively stable or up in more technical sectors.

Occupation

Employment is up in managerial, professional & technical occupations that usually require post-secondary education and down in most occupations that primarily do not require post-secondary ed, especially production and administrative support jobs.

Occupation

Unemployment compensation claimants differ by gender. Among men claims are highest in construction, production & transportation occupations; among women claims are highest in administrative support, food service & sales related occupations.

Outlook

Most job displacement has been in occupations that do not require post-secondary education; most job growth is expected in occupations that do require post-secondary ed.

Outlook

Most job growth is expected in occupations with average wages at the upper and lower ends of the earnings spectrum. Jobs that pay well generally require post-secondary education, often a specific type of education. Job seekers without post-secondary ed will find much competition for middle earning jobs. Some will have to settle for work in low-paying occupations.