Knowledge Sector Jobs
« Data & IndicatorsThe effective deployment of knowledge-based jobs results in productivity gains and competitive market advantage. Clustering of firms that take advantage of networking and innovation platforms can advance regional economies. Creating new knowledge jobs will result from nurturing strong networks and clusters based on the existing economic, social, and natural assets of the regions. Indicators of Knowledge Jobs include Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Jobs and Health Care Jobs.
The Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector has emerged from the rapid transformation of the Information Technology (IT) sector since 2000. This transformation reflects, in part, the huge role of the Internet in the creation and functionality of the knowledge and network economy that is replacing the traditional economy. The ICT world is primarily one of Web sites and URLs in addition to streets and roads and postal ZIP codes. It is a world of instantaneous communications and dynamic 24/7 networks.
Health care jobs, too, require significant levels of knowledge and education and the demand for health care workers is expanding. This growth sector is vital to the future of the Northern Michigan economy.
The shift toward jobs that require workers with greater analytical and interactive skills will intensify, and as a result, the need for some post-secondary education will also intensify (Council of Economic Advisers, 2009).
Knowledge Sector Jobs: ICT Jobs
Information and communications technology (ICT) provides the circulatory system which knowledge economy businesses must have to breathe and function. Providing vital services like high-speed Internet access, telecommunications services, data networks, and computer software development and support is critical. The ICT sector can serve as a bellwether in spite of its relatively small workforce. Beyond actual numbers of jobs, this indicator may also suggest the extent of connectivity between local businesses and the global networking of the knowledge economy. It is this networking that fuels the exponential rates of innovation diffusion and results in the vast economic power of instantaneous 24/7 global communication.
Defining Information & Communications Technology Jobs
The information and communications technology (ICT) cluster consists of cable television, telecommunications (including Internet service providers), computer services and design, and information services (NAICS codes 5152, 517, 518, 519, and 5415). Rates per 1,000 workers are based on the total employment in all NAICS sectors in each region.
ICT Jobs (2008)
| Northeast MI1 | Northwest MI2 | Eastern UP3 | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICT Jobs | 170 | 866 | 49 | 68,742 |
| Per 1,000 workers | 4.22 | 7.31 | 2.60 | 16.84 |
All three regions lag behind the state level of ICT jobs. Northwest Michigan leads the other two regions in ICT jobs but has proportionately 55% less than the state level.
Annual ICT Wages (2008)
| Northeast MI1 | Northwest MI2 | Eastern UP3 | Michigan | All Jobs (MI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual ICT Wage | $55,214 | $55,127 | $57,162 | $67,724 | $43,896 |
ICT wages in the three regions are significantly higher than the average statewide wage. The highest average ICT wage is in the Eastern Upper Peninsula followed by Northeast and Northwest Michigan, respectively.
Knowledge Sector Jobs: Health Care Jobs
Health care, with over 463,000 jobs, is currently the largest knowledge economy sector in Michigan's workforce of 4.8 million. In the overall state economy, only the manufacturing (NAICS codes 31-33) and retail industry sectors (NAICS codes 44-45) account for a greater proportion of employment. Health care providers in the three regions have expressed concern about their ability to attract sufficient numbers of skilled professionals to fill open positions. Moreover, health care practitioners and technicians on the national level are expected to be in increasing demand as are medical records and health information technicians (Council of Economic Advisers, 2009).
Defining Health Care Jobs
Health care is grouped with social assistance at the broadest NAICS code level (62). However, Health Care is defined more specifically here by using NAICS codes 621-623 (ambulatory health care services, hospitals, and nursing and residential care facilities). Rates per 1,000 workers are based on the total employment in all NAICS sectors in each region.
Health Care Jobs (2007)
| Northeast MI1 | Northwest MI2 | Eastern UP3 | Michigan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Care Jobs | 5,603 | 16,092 | 1,492 | 516,937 |
| Per 1,000 workers | 138.98 | 135.78 | 78.92 | 126.65 |
Northeast Michigan has the greatest number of health care jobs, and both Northwest and Northeast Michigan surpass the state average per 1,000 workers.
Annual Health Care Wages (2007)
| Northeast MI1 | Northwest MI2 | Eastern UP3 | Michigan | All Jobs (MI) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Health Care Wage | $40,171 | $44,708 | $36,389 | $41,606 | $43,896 |
Annual average health care wages in all three regions lag behind the average state health care wage. Health care job wages are also lower than the overall average job wage in the state. Health care job wages in Northwest Michigan are the highest and exceed the state average for this indicator. Eastern Upper Peninsula and Northeast Michigan health care wages lag significantly behind the state average for this industry sector.
Definitions
- Northeast Michigan corresponds to the Northeast Michigan Council of Governments (NEMCOG) region of eight counties in the Lower Peninsula: Alcona, Alpena, Cheboygan, Crawford, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego, and Presque Isle.
- Northwest Michigan corresponds to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG) region of ten counties in the Lower Peninsula: Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford.
- The Eastern Upper Peninsula corresponds to the Eastern Upper Peninsula Regional Planning and Development Commission (EUPRPDC) region of three counties: Chippewa, Luce, and Mackinac.