Data Sources and Methodology This section outlines the data sources and methods for identifying in-demand occupations and aligned academic programs. This is broken down into three parts: in-demand occupations, aligned academic supply, and limitations.
In-Demand Occupations The in-demand occupations methodology was created in collaboration with all partner agencies to align the state agencies’ evaluations of employer demand. To measure jobs with high employer demand, the Center for Economic Research in Tennessee (CERT) analyzed postings, openings, and hires for an occupation relative to total number of individuals employed in the occupation. Occupations which meet at least two of these three requirements are identified to have high employer demand: •
The ratio of job postings (2020) to the number of individuals employed in an occupation is greater than or equal to the median ratio for all occupations in the region.
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The ratio of hires (2020) to the number of individuals employed in an occupation is greater than or equal to the median ratio for all occupations in the region.
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The ratio of projected annual job openings from 2018 to 2028 to employment for an occupation is greater than or equal to the median ratio for all occupations in the region.
To encourage job creation and skill development in high-quality jobs, occupations must meet a minimum wage threshold. All occupations identified as in-demand have a median wage which is at least 80 percent of the median wage for the region. This analysis is completed at the statewide level and for each local workforce development area (LWDA) totaling 10 regions (statewide plus nine LWDAs). Additionally, to prevent reporting positions with very low employment levels as in-demand, occupations must meet a minimum employment threshold of 0.04 percent of the region’s total employment.
Data Definitions and Sources: Employment: Employment and wage data for each occupation and region are sourced primarily from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development’s May 2020 release of the Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates (OEWS). OEWS publication standards required redaction for employment figures for some occupations. In cases where OEWS has redacted information, and a 2018 employment estimate from the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Long-Term Occupational
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