the Department of Labor’s (DOL) America’s Promise Grant ... · the Department of Labor’s (DOL) America’s Promise Grant. The DOL has identified three in-demand industries -

The Virginia Tech Office of Economic Development produced this document for the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board. This workforce report outlines skills transferability metrics for in-demand occupations supported by the Department of Labor’s (DOL) America’s Promise Grant. The DOL has identified three in-demand industries - technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing - where employers rely on the provision of H1B Visas to meet labor demands. The America’s Promise Grant provides workforce training for 39 occupations divided across these three in-demand industries, within Workforce Development Areas I, II, III, and XVII.

This report first details these 39 occupations at the regional level, providing baseline data on employment, openings, and wages. Next, twelve manufacturing occupations, eight technology occupations, and nineteen healthcare occupations were analyzed on the basis of the common and reoccurring knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) required for employment in each industry group. Comparable occupations were selected on the basis on similarity to KSAs required for employment in America’s Promise occupations and several other factors, including recent or projected decline and lower wages. These occupations were chosen to illustrate a pathway from a shrinking or low paying occupation to an America’s Promise occupation.

Comparable occupations were broken into two distinct groups: brother/sister occupations and cousin occupations. Brother/sister occupations are occupations that are similar in KSAs, qualifications, and wage and would require minimal retraining in transitioning into an America’s Promise occupation. Cousin occupations also have similar KSAs, however, are typically lower paying and would require more upskilling compared to brother/sister occupations. At least 10 brother/sister and 10 cousin occupations were identified for each industry group, with special attention given to the steps a jobseeker or incumbent worker would take to find employment in America’s

Promise occupations.

% Projected Job Growth (2019-2024) Annual Openings Avg. Median Hourly Earnings

6% 211 $33.17Description

2019 Jobs

% Projected Job Growth (2019-2024)

Annual Openings

Median Hourly Earnings

Avg. Hourly Earnings

Computer User Support Specialists 703 6% 61 $18.04 6%

Software Developers, Applications 484 12% 44 $42.07 12%

Computer Systems Analysts 351 5% 27 $33.49 5%

Network and Computer Systems Administrators 315 1% 21 $35.75 1%

Web Developers 201 6% 17 $26.43 6%

Computer Network Support Specialists 197 4% 17 $28.62 4%

Software Developers, Systems Software 175 6% 14 $48.60 6%

Computer Programmers 141 2% 10 $32.36 2%

Source: EMSI Developer, 2019.3 Dataset



2019 Jobs


Annual Openings



Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics 750 0% 72 $17.68 $18.85

Industrial Machinery Mechanics 723 4% 71 $23.49 $23.96

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 662 4% 77 $20.06 $20.96

Machinists 562 0% 60 $22.39 $23.01

Industrial Engineers 414 6% 33 $36.13 $38.20

Mechanical Engineers 225 7% 18 $39.81 $41.65

Maintenance Workers, Machinery 165 4% 19 $28.07 $26.75

Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians 124 2% 11 $28.74 $29.55

Weld, Solder, & Braze Machine Setters, Operators, & Tenders 109 -5% 12 $18.49 $18.21

Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other 92 0% 8 $21.02 $25.90

Chemical Technicians 81 -2% 8 $23.44 $25.17

Mechanical Engineering Technicians 49 0% 5 $29.19 $29.43



2019 Jobs


Annual Openings



Registered Nurses 2,219 4% 132 $25.58 $26.01

Nursing Assistants 1,547 9% 212 $12.45 $12.90

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 989 10% 91 $18.45 $18.85

Home Health Aides 461 23% 77 $10.09 $10.70

Medical Assistants 419 13% 57 $14.52 $15.26

Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics 294 5% 24 $13.07 $14.05

Dental Assistants 237 4% 29 $19.46 $19.82

Dental Hygienists 173 6% 13 $31.87 $31.72

Radiologic Technologists 140 2% 8 $24.30 $25.08

Physical Therapist Assistants 126 14% 20 $29.15 $28.76

Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians 122 7% 10 $20.56 $21.51

Medical Records and Health Information Technicians 121 11% 10 $17.05 $18.71

Phlebotomists 109 10% 14 $15.05 $15.02

Medical Transcriptionists 92 13% 15 $18.29 $19.52

Respiratory Therapists 89 2% 5 $23.03 $23.69

Occupational Therapy Assistants 61 13% 10 $21.02 $23.24

Surgical Technologists 54 4% 5 $19.03 $19.77

Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 14 14% Insf. Data $20.85 $21.12

Applicants must be skilled in oral and written comprehension, analysis, and decision making for a success in America’s Promise manufacturing occupations.

Data suggests that jobseekers must be able to quickly identify and solve problems. Dexterity and precision are also noted as important abilities. Overall, manufacturing occupations require diligence and strong attention to detail.

Similarly, knowledge of mathematics, physics, and computer & electronics had importance scores that ranged between 62-63. Jobseekers are not required to be experts in each area, however, an understanding of each is critical to being successful in their field.

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Some degree of upskilling is required for reemployment in America’s Promise occupations. For example, electric motor, power tool & related repair, and manufacturing production technician occupations have similar compatibility levels to the in-demand industrial machinery mechanics occupation. Jobseekers willing to invest in upskilling could enjoy higher wages, healthcare benefits, and improved job security in America’s Promise occupations.

• An Associate’s degree• College courses/certificates • Internships and apprenticeships

Jobseekers and incumbent workers in brother/sister occupations might consider:• Enrollment in a single course or

related program• Résumé and interview preparation

These occupations have the greatest compatibility with America’s Promise occupations and are either stagnant or in decline within Region II. For example, declining electromechanical engineer technologist and manufacturing engineer technologist occupations are similar in wage and KSAs to the in-demand electrical engineer technologist occupation.

*Note: The calculated average job growth may exceed or be below the number stated for the individual America’s Promise Jobs.


Data suggest that soft skills are similarly important to employers as hard skills. Job seekers must be well-rounded and adaptable when considering a career in this industry.

A narrow range of importance for all ability areas suggests individuals will be expected to be proficient and capable in each ability area, although not an expert.

Knowledge of telecommunications, customer service, management, and training have similar levels of importance compared to other technical competencies.

92

67

62

53

4945

57

47

58

87

56

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70

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6557

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5857

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*Note: The level values are higher than the importance values in mathematics, education & training, engineering & technology, design, and clerical knowledge.


America’s Promise occupations have an $13.58 higher average wage than cousin occupations. While some America’s Promise occupations require a bachelor’s degree, computer systems analysists, web developers, computer user support specialists, and computer network support specialists occupations require an associates degree at most. Job seekers should consider their current level of education when considering upskilling into an America’s promise occupation.

• A Bachelor's degree• An Associate’s degree• College courses/certificates • Internships and apprenticeships

Nevertheless, most jobseekers in brother/sister occupations could become qualified with:• A single course or training class• Résumé and interview preparation• An online certification program

While most of the brother/sister occupations have compatible qualifications, job seekers need to be aware that some America’s Promise occupations such as computer programmers and software developers are required to hold at least bachelor’s degrees.


Data suggest that knowledge of physics, medicine, biology, mathematics, and psychology is important to healthcare occupations. Administrative, customer service, education, and clerical knowledge also received high importance scores.

Top ranking abilities suggest that written and oral communication are paramount to a successful career in healthcare. Jobseekers must listen well, be quick to identify problems, and be able to effectively communicate these issues.

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6261

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This speaks to the broad responsibilities of healthcare practitioners. Employees must be well-rounded to be successful in this industry.

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Psychiatric Aides $12.06 -5

Weighers and Recordkeeping $16.11 -4

Chemical Technicians $23.44 -2

Medical Equipment Preparers $19.27 0

Proofreaders and Copy Markers $20.53 0

Recreational Therapists $20.21 1

Exercise Physiologists $29.26 1

Occupational Therapy Aides $14.42 1

Radiation Therapists $18.50 1

Brokerage Clerks $17.32 1

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists $31.83 2

Athletic Trainers $19.29 5

Ophthalmic Medical Technicians $12.14 6

Acupuncturists $26.02 9

Cardiovascular Technician $13.89 0

Psychiatric Technicians $11.88 1

Biological Technicians $11.73 2

Quality Control Analyst $14.33 4

Endoscopy Technicians $15.72 5

Physical Therapist Aides $13.22 8

Community Health Workers $17.45 8

Pharmacy Technician $11.99 30

Veterinary Tech $20.41 33

Veterinary Assistant $11.99 34

Municipal Firefighter $9.78 39

Office Clerks $13.78 51

Receptionists and Information Clerks $11.65 85

Childcare Workers $9.20 150

Jobseekers and incumbent workers could see a considerable pay increase for relatively minimal training or certification. For instance, receptionists and vet assistants are paid $8 and $7 less per hour than the average America’s Promise occupations, respectively. This relatively high return on investment could improve labor market conditions for employers.

This requirement might be lessened for those already working in select healthcare occupations. Nevertheless, all should consider: • An Associate’s degree• College courses/certificates • Internships and apprenticeships

Other workers in brother/sister occupations might consider the following: • A single course or training class• Résumé and interview preparation• Certificate programs

Additionally, many brother/sister occupations for this industry are already within the broader healthcare field. While some of the more technical America’s Promise occupations require a four year degree or comprehensive certification process, data suggest that many workers could easily transition into higher paying occupations with better pay.

Registered Nurse

Licensed Practical Nurse

Medical Assistant

Medical and Clinical Lab Tech

Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Radiological Technologist

Surgical Technologist

Phlebotomist

EMT

Medical Records and Health Information Tech.

Medical Transcriptionist

Dental Hygienist

Dental Assistant

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Physical Therapist Assistant

Respiratory Therapists

Nursing Assistants

Home Health Aides

*Note: Some occupations have higher growth in the region. Phlebotomists are growing at 10%. However, other occupations are declining, evidenced in the -4% decline in Dental Assistants.


Documents

the Department of Labor’s (DOL) America’s Promise Grant ... · the Department of Labor’s (DOL) America’s Promise Grant. The DOL has identified three in-demand industries -