Talent
A WORKFORCE READY FOR BUSINESS
The Roanoke Region's workforce offers a diversity of skills and knowledge businesses want and need. From workers in advanced manufacturing and life sciences to technical engineers and experienced managers to more than 100,000 students pursuing college degrees, employers have access to a large pool of talent. Several training programs and facilities provide workers with skills in new technologies so your business can keep up with the latest industry developments.
Job seekers of all kinds are entering the labor supply as the region continues to grow and businesses seek labor. It's no wonder that Roanoke was ranked one of the Best Places for Business and Careers by Forbes.com, and as more people choose the region as a place to work and live, businesses in the Roanoke Region will continue to grow and succeed.
LABOR FORCE POPULATION
Roanoke Region Population (2011): 320,741
Labor Area Population: (2011) 691,873
Total Labor Supply: 344,332
Unemployment Rate (12/11): 6.9%
Underemployment Rate: 9.6%
Roanoke Region Population (2011): 320,741
Labor Area Population: (2011) 691,873
Total Labor Supply: 344,332
Unemployment Rate (12/11): 6.9%
Underemployment Rate: 9.6%
ROANOKE MSA EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT
Testimony to the well-educated workforce is more than half of the region's population over the age 25 has at least some college education. More than a third has either an associate's degree or bachelor's degree, or both.
Total High School Diploma/GED: 86.3%
At least some college: 20.6%
Associate's or Bachelor's Degree: 26.5%
Graduate/Professional Degree: 9.3%
Workers are distributed among a diversity of occupations. The Virginia Employment Commission estimates more than 21,000 jobs will be created between 2006 and 2016, which means an increase in skilled job seekers and businesses seeking workers.
| Occupation Title | 2008 | 2018 | Diff. |
|
Total |
173,803 | 194,122 | 11.7% |
|
Office, Administrative Support |
29,628 | 32,610 | 10.6% |
|
Sales related |
20,491 | 21,918 | 6.96% |
|
Transportation and Material Moving |
13,791 | 14,113 | 2.33% |
|
Production |
14,042 | 13,447 | 4.24% |
|
Food prep and Serving related |
13,327 | 15,226 | 14.23% |
|
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical |
11,282 | 13,845 | 22.72% |
| Construction and Extraction | 10,515 | 11,985 | 13.98% |
|
Education, Training, Library |
8,738 | 10,617 | 21.5% |
| Installation, Maintenance, Repair | 8,032 | 8,722 | 8.59% |
|
Business and Financial |
7,445 | 8,717 | 17.09% |
|
Management |
6,597 | 7,040 | 6.72% |
|
Bldg & Grounds/Cleaning, Maintenance |
5,319 | 5,849 | 9.965% |
|
Health Care Support |
5,013 | 6,735 | 34.35% |
|
Personal Care and Service |
4,296 | 5,284 | 23.07% |
|
Computer and Mathematical |
2,380 | 2,859 | 20.13% |
| Protective Sevice Occupations | 4,047 | 4,764 | 17.72% |
| Community and Social Services | 2,479 | 3,289 | 32.67% |
|
Arts, Design, Sports, Media |
2,369 | 2,677 | 13% |
|
Architecture and Engineering |
1,968 | 2,072 | 5.28% |
|
Life, Physical, and Social Science |
746 | 880 | 17.96% |
| Legal | 1,032 | 1,211 | 17.35% |
| Farming, Fishing, Forestry | 164 | 259 | 1.89% |
Source: VEC, Industry and Occupational Projections, 2008-2018.
