Western Pa. jobs outlook bright for coming decade
As Western Pennsylvania's economy is expected to grow, expect more of its residents should have jobs in the next 10 years.
Employment in the greater Pittsburgh region is projected to grow by 5.4 percent through 2020, according to data from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry. That means more than 1.22 million jobs in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties will be employed, an increase of 62,360 jobs.
Here's a look at the top five industries projected to grow through the next decade:
Mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction
Jobs in 2010: 6,100
Jobs in 2020: 9,370
Percent change: 53.6 percent
Types of jobs: Mine operation and support activities for extraction of natural resources like coal, minerals or natural gas.
Industry spotlight
Who: Justin Welker
Job: Water resource supervisor at Range Resources
About his job: Welker spends “every day, all day” in the outdoors at natural gas drilling sites, working with land owners, state regulators and drillers to ensure safe transfer of water supplies to drilling sites. A Western Pennsylvania native, Welker previously worked in North Carolina before finding a job in the natural gas industry closer to his family.
Background: Bachelor's degree in aquatic biology from California University of Pennsylvania, previous experience as a fish biologist.
About the industry: “It's a great industry. If you're leaving high school or college, it's a great way to start your life.”
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Jobs in 2010: 18,890
Jobs in 2020: 21,630
Percent change: 14.5 percent
Types of jobs: Cultural and recreational positions like artists, agents and managers at performing arts companies, sports teams, museums, historical sites and casinos.
Industry spotlight
Who: Andy Masich
Job: President and chief executive officer of the Senator John Heinz History Center
About his job: Masich oversees Pennsylvania's largest history museum at a time when the center is poised to expand its reach both physically and virtually. The museum plans to open a new restoration center in a Penn Avenue extension, while expanding its digital archives. The restoration center, expected to open this year, would provide restoration services.
Background: Masich has held every type of role in the museum operations, from volunteer to director to marketer. He holds degrees in history and museum administration from the University of Arizona and in history from Carnegie Mellon University.
In his words: “Whether it's school children in the 10-county region or seniors who are doing continuing education, we want to accommodate all of those audiences that are interested in history and culture.”
Health care and social assistance
Jobs in 2010: 185,010
Jobs in 2020: 210,640
Percent change: 13.9 percent
Types of jobs: Physicians, dentists and medical professionals along with resident care for the elderly, children and youth services and community food and housing services.
Industry spotlight
Who: Tony Delitto
Job: Professor of physical therapy and chair of the physical therapy department of the University of Pittsburgh's School of Health and Rehabilitation Services.
About his work: Delitto trains the next generation of physical therapists, and the need for this specialty is expected to outpace some other health professions. Physical therapists are in a group where demand is projected to grow nearly 23 percent in the region through 2020. Delitto says the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will help put the focus on patient and consumer input, a natural tenant of physical therapy. “Our patients aren't better unless they tell us they're better,” he says.
Background: Delitto has worked in the physical therapy field as a practitioner, researcher and professor since 1979. He holds a bachelor's degree in physical therapy, master's of health science in physical therapy and a doctorate in social psychology.
In his words: “What we're seeing increasingly is patients are directly seeing physical therapists. Our job is to train our students and our graduates.”
Transportation
Jobs in 2010: 35,740
Jobs in 2020: 40,660
Percent change: 13.8 percent
Types of jobs: Drivers, operators, engineers, messengers and support activities for trucking, rail, air and water transportation from school busses and taxis to specialized freight trucking.
Industry spotlight
Who: Bill Parker
Job: Truck driver at PittOhio
About his work: While some truckers go out for three weeks at a time, Parker works day shifts — starting in the morning with paper work and getting the truck inspected for safety reasons, making a trip and coming home in the evenings.
Background: Parker has spent the last 23 years at PittOhio, and still has the same passion he did when he started. Growing up in Western Pennsylvania, Parker had two goals: be a train engineer and drive a truck.
In his words: “It's a lot of work involved, but it's something in my blood. It's something I've always wanted to do.”
Administrative and support services, including waste management
Jobs in 2010: 49,250
Jobs in 2020: 55,650
Percent change: 13 percent
Types of jobs: Service-oriented jobs for day-to-day operations like office administration, hiring and placing personnel, document preparation and clerical services, as well as surveillance, cleaning and disposal services.
Industry spotlight
Who: Patrick Bendel
Job: Branch manager of professional services at Synergy Staffing
A day in the life: Bendel gets to know company clients and job seekers to connect the right jobs with the right people. Communication skills, he says are key, and he enjoys the social aspects. “You're always dealing with people and sometimes you have to think on your feet.”
Background: Bendel's spent the last 14 years working in the staffing and personnel business, with schooling and background in business, management and public affairs.
In his words: “When we sit down and meet with them, they define not only what the position is but the culture of the company.”
Melissa Daniels is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 412-380-8511 or mdaniels@tribweb.com.
