Narrative: II. a. 1. A.

Regarding the industry sectors and job categories specified in (A)(i) and (ii), assess the workforce requirements from the perspective of employers. This should include details about necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as any relevant credentials and licenses required.

Louisiana's economy is experiencing a robust recovery from the 2020 economic decline triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent natural disasters. As of August 2023, there's a noticeable rise in the seasonally adjusted civilian labor force, increasing from 2,080,426 in August 2022 to 2,094,321. Seasonally adjusted employment figures have also seen an improvement from 2,006,959 to 2,025,507. The labor force participation rate climbed from 56.4% to 57.1%, while the unemployment rate decreased from 3.5% to 3.3%.

The average weekly wage in Louisiana has grown by $82, reaching $1,101 in the third quarter of 2022, up from $1,019 in the previous year. The top five highest-paying sectors are Utilities, Management of Companies and Enterprises, Mining, Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services, and Finance and Insurance, with average hourly wages ranging from $29.04 to $37.56.

Employment projections for Louisiana indicate an addition of 58,629 jobs (a 3% increase) by 2024, with growth percentages ranging from 0.5% to 3.8% across various regions. Notably, sectors such as Accommodation and Food Services, Health Care and Social Assistance, Transportation and Warehousing, Construction, and Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services are expected to see significant growth.

In response to the escalating labor demands, the Louisiana Workforce Commission is intensifying its focus on workforce training and economic development to diversify both the economy and the labor market. This includes efforts to attract new professional and technical employers, fostering a skilled workforce that commands higher wages.

The Louisiana Occupational Information System (LOIS), managed by the Louisiana Workforce Commission, serves as a comprehensive Virtual Labor Market Information Web Portal. It provides access to current data on labor force, wages, population, industry employment, training facilities, programs, completion rates, projections, demographics, nonfarm employment, employer database, unemployment claimants, industry staffing patterns, licensed occupations, demand occupations, and career resources. The portal also includes detailed labor market information tables, charts, and figures that outline projections for short-term and long-term industry growth in Louisiana.

Sources: The preceding section cited data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Current Employment Statistics Program, the Local Area Unemployment Statistics Program, and LWC Short-term Industry Projections.

Note: We are considering providing mid-term industry projections upon the funding availability.

(i) EXISTING DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS[1]

• 2022 Total Employment by Region

The employment data noted in the chart below across various areas in Louisiana presents a diverse economic landscape. Statewide employment stands at 1,956,496, indicating a broad workforce base. New Orleans and Baton Rouge are the largest employment hubs, with 573,952 and 478,010 jobs respectively, showcasing their roles as major economic centers in the state. Other regions like Lafayette and Shreveport also contribute significantly to the state's employment, with figures of 256,476 and 226,026 jobs respectively. Smaller areas such as Houma, Lake Charles, Alexandria, and Monroe, although hosting fewer jobs, play vital roles in their local economies. Each area's employment figures suggest varied industrial and service sector strengths, which could reflect different regional economic activities and opportunities.

• Major Industries: Louisiana

The 2022 employment data for various industries in Louisiana reveals a significant emphasis on the Health Care and Social Assistance sector, which leads with 297,298 jobs, highlighting its critical role in the state's economy and its substantial demand for labor. Retail Trade and Other Services (except Public Administration) also show strong employment figures, with 210,411 and 200,864 jobs respectively, indicating their importance in daily consumer and societal needs.

The Accommodation and Food Services sector supports 183,499 jobs, underscoring its significance in Louisiana's tourism and hospitality industry. Meanwhile, sectors like Manufacturing and Construction demonstrate robust employment, with over 120,000 jobs each, reflecting the state's industrial capabilities. Notably, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector, although smaller in comparison at 89,196 jobs, is essential for innovation and high-skill occupations. Overall, these employment figures suggest a diverse economic structure with strengths in healthcare, retail, and service-oriented industries.

Labor market information is subcategorized by eight Regional Labor Market Areas (RLMAs), listed below:

RLMA1 New Orleans Region: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Tammany parishes

RLMA2 Baton Rouge Region: Ascension, East Feliciana, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, Tangipahoa, Washington, West Baton Rouge, and West Feliciana parishes

RLMA3 Houma Region: Assumption, Lafourche, and Terrebonne parishes

RLMA4 Lafayette Region: Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Mary, and Vermilion parishes

RLMA5 Lake Charles Region: Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, and Vernon parishes

RLMA6 Alexandria Region: Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides, and Winn parishes

RLMA7 Shreveport Region: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, and Webster parishes

RLMA8 Monroe Region: Caldwell, East Carroll, Franklin, Jackson, Madison, Morehouse, Ouachita, Richland, Tensas, Union, and West Carroll parishes

• Major Industries: New Orleans

• Major Industries: Baton Rouge

• Major Industries: Houma

• Major Industries: Lafayette

• Major Industries: Lake Charles

• Major Industries: Alexandria

• Major Industries: Shreveport

• Major Industries: Monroe

Source: Short-term Industry Employment Projections to 2024

• Major Occupations in Louisiana

The major occupations in Louisiana highlight a diverse labor market spanning healthcare, management, transportation, construction, education, and clerical work. Registered Nurses top the list with 45,662 jobs, emphasizing the state's strong demand for healthcare professionals. General and Operations Managers follow with 35,407 positions, underscoring the importance of managerial roles in supporting various business operations.

Transportation-related jobs also play a significant role, with Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers and Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand representing substantial employment numbers at 23,977 and 36,694 respectively. These figures reflect the state's logistical and distribution capabilities.

The construction and clerical sectors are well-represented too, with Construction Laborers and Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks numbering 22,431 and 21,640 jobs respectively. This indicates ongoing construction activities and the need for financial record-keeping in businesses across the state.

In education, Elementary School Teachers (Except Special Education) account for 20,686 jobs, pointing to significant investments in primary education. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, along with First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers and Retail Sales Workers, suggest robust administrative support and retail sectors, critical for the smooth operation of both office environments and commercial activities. These figures collectively paint a picture of an economy with varied job opportunities catering to a broad spectrum of professional and vocational skills.

• Major Occupations in RLMA 1 New Orleans

• Major Occupations in RLMA 2 Baton Rouge

• Major Occupations in RLMA 3 Houma

• Major Occupations in RLMA 4 Lafayette

• Major Occupations in RLMA 5 Lake Charles

• Major Occupations in RLMA 6 Alexandria

• Major Occupations in RLMA 7 Shreveport

• Major Occupations in RLMA 8 Monroe

Source: LWC Short-term Occupational Projections for All Occupations to 2024

(ii) EMERGING DEMAND INDUSTRY SECTORS AND OCCUPATIONS [2]

Louisiana's employment outlook for 2024 is positive, with an anticipated overall job growth of 3%, translating to 58,629 new jobs. This growth is not uniform across the state, with each region expecting varying increases. Baton Rouge leads in potential job creation, expecting an 18,366 job increase, which constitutes a 3.8% rise, the highest among the regions. This indicates significant economic activity and development potential in Baton Rouge.

Conversely, the Lake Charles area is projected to see the smallest growth, with only a 0.5% increase or 744 new jobs, suggesting a more stagnant economic condition in this region primarily due to recovery from significant natural disasters over the past several years. The New Orleans area, despite its size, has a modest growth projection of 1.4%, adding 8,128 jobs.

Lafayette and Shreveport are also set to see significant job increases of 3.0% and 2.5% respectively, reflecting healthy economic conditions in these areas. Meanwhile, smaller increments in Houma, Alexandria, and Monroe, with job growth rates ranging from 1.6% to 2.0%, suggest steady but slower economic progression.

Overall, this forecasted job growth across Louisiana indicates a recovering and expanding economy post-2020 downturns, with most regions contributing positively to the state's employment landscape.

• Short-term Industry Forecast: Total, All Industries
• Major Industries in Louisiana

The short-term industry forecast for Louisiana shows varied growth trajectories across major sectors from 2022 to 2024. The Health Care and Social Assistance sector is expected to experience a healthy growth of 3.0%, adding 9,044 jobs, reflecting the ongoing demand for healthcare services in the state. Similarly, the Accommodation and Food Services sector is projected to see the highest growth rate at 6.0%, gaining 11,006 jobs, which could be indicative of a rebound in tourism and leisure activities.

Conversely, the Retail Trade and Government sectors are forecasted to contract, losing 667 and 1,301 jobs respectively. This slight decline in Retail Trade might suggest a shift towards online shopping or economic realignment, while the decrease in Government jobs could be related to budget constraints or efficiency improvements.

The Construction sector is set to grow by 3.4%, adding 4,255 jobs, likely driven by increased infrastructure projects or housing demands. The Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector is also notable for its growth rate of 4.3%, which adds 3,808 jobs, possibly due to the expansion of high-skill industries and tech-oriented services in the state.

Manufacturing and Administrative and Waste Services are anticipated to grow moderately with 2.2% and 2.0% increases, adding 2,775 and 1,984 jobs respectively, pointing towards steady industrial activity and the necessity for support services.

Overall, these projections suggest a mixed but generally positive economic outlook for Louisiana, with significant expansions in several key sectors counterbalanced by slight declines in others, reflecting broader economic shifts and local developments.

• Top 5 Growing Industries in Louisiana

The projected employment data for Louisiana from 2022 to 2024 identifies significant growth in five key industries. The Transportation and Warehousing sector shows the highest growth rate at 8.6%, adding 6,799 jobs, indicative of robust expansion in logistics and distribution activities. This is likely due to increased demand for shipping and delivery services, fueled by ecommerce and trade.

Accommodation and Food Services is also seeing a substantial increase, with a 6.0% growth rate and 11,006 new jobs, suggesting a rebound in the tourism and hospitality industry, which is critical for Louisiana's economy, especially in culturally rich areas like New Orleans.

The Health Care and Social Assistance sector is expected to grow by 3.0%, adding 9,044 jobs, reflecting the ongoing need for healthcare services in the region, possibly driven by an aging population and greater healthcare access.

The Construction sector is set to expand by 3.4%, with an addition of 4,255 jobs, pointing towards increased building activities, possibly stimulated by both residential and commercial development. Lastly, the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector is growing by 4.3%, adding 3,808 jobs, highlighting a demand for specialized professional services that support other industries and private needs.

These trends illustrate a dynamic economic environment in Louisiana, emphasizing a strong recovery and growth in sectors fundamental to the state’s infrastructure and quality of life.

• Major Industries: New Orleans

• Major Industries: Baton Rouge

• Major Industries: Houma

• Major Industries: Lafayette

• Major Industries: Lake Charles

• Major Industries: Alexandria

• Major Industries: Shreveport

• Major Industries: Monroe

Source: LWC Short-term Industry Employment Projections to 2024

• Long-term Industry Forecast: Total, All Industries
• Major Industries in Louisiana

The long-term industry forecast for Louisiana until 2030 shows varied but generally positive growth across major industries, reflecting broader economic development trends and sector-specific dynamics.

Accommodation and Food Services is projected to experience the most significant growth, with a 17.8% increase, translating into 29,684 new jobs. This substantial growth indicates a robust recovery and expansion in the tourism and hospitality sector, likely driven by increased travel and consumer spending.

Construction also shows notable growth with a 14.3% increase, adding 16,804 jobs, suggesting strong investment in infrastructure and real estate development, likely spurred by both residential and commercial projects.

The Retail Trade sector is expected to grow by 4.4%, adding 9,433 jobs, which may reflect evolving consumer behaviors and the adaptation of retail spaces to new shopping patterns. The Administrative and Waste Services sector is also set to rise by 4.7%, indicating growing needs for support and maintenance services as other industries expand.

Health Care and Social Assistance continues to show strong growth with a 3.6% increase, adding 10,465 jobs, driven by an aging population and broader health service demands. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services are also poised for growth, with a 6.2% increase expected, highlighting the ongoing demand for high-skilled labor in areas such as IT, consulting, and engineering.

Conversely, Manufacturing shows a slight decline, with a minor reduction of 121 jobs, reflecting possible automation, shifts in manufacturing bases, or global competitive pressures.

Overall, these projections suggest that Louisiana is gearing up for significant economic activity, with particular strength in service-based industries and construction, alongside stable growth in health and professional services.

• Top 5 Growing Industries in Louisiana

The long-term employment forecasts for Louisiana's major industries from 2020 to 2030 highlight significant growth in several key sectors, showcasing the state's evolving economic landscape.

Mining shows the most dramatic growth with a 40.8% increase, adding 11,475 jobs, indicating potentially increased resource extraction activities or investments in the sector. This could suggest a resurgence in energy or raw materials extraction, which is historically significant for Louisiana's economy.

Accommodation and Food Services is also expected to see substantial growth of 17.8%, with 29,684 new jobs, which likely reflects a booming tourism industry and an increasing demand for dining and lodging facilities, particularly in culturally rich regions like New Orleans.

The Construction industry is set to expand by 14.3%, adding 16,804 jobs, suggesting ongoing large-scale infrastructure and development projects as the state continues to modernize and expand its urban and rural areas.

Health Care and Social Assistance is projected to grow by 3.6%, with an addition of 10,465 jobs. This steady growth can be attributed to an aging population and the increasing need for health services across the state.

Retail Trade is expected to grow by 4.4%, adding 9,433 jobs, which may reflect the evolution of consumer spending habits and the adaptation of retail businesses to changing market dynamics, including the integration of e-commerce and digital services.

Overall, these projections indicate robust growth across diverse sectors, pointing to a strong and dynamic economic future for Louisiana, with notable expansions in both resource-based and service industries.

• Major Industries: New Orleans

• Major Industries: Baton Rouge

• Major Industries: Houma

• Major Industries: Lafayette

• Major Industries: Lake Charles

• Major Industries: Alexandria

• Major Industries: Shreveport

• Major Industries: Monroe

Source: LWC Long-term Industry Employment Projections to 2030

• Major Occupations in Louisiana

The projected job growth for major occupations in Louisiana from 2022 to 2024 shows varying trends, with some sectors experiencing growth and others slight declines.

The occupation with the highest growth rate is Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand, which is projected to see a 4.19% increase, adding 1,536 jobs. This growth likely reflects increased demand in logistics and distribution sectors, particularly in response to e-commerce growth.

Registered Nurses are also expected to see significant growth, with an increase of 1,320 jobs or 2.89%. This growth aligns with national trends of increasing healthcare demands, especially in the wake of ongoing health challenges and an aging population.

General and Operations Managers are anticipated to grow by 3.27%, with 1,158 new jobs. This reflects the need for leadership and management skills across various industries as businesses expand and adapt to new economic conditions.

Conversely, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive, are projected to experience a decline, losing 382 jobs, a reduction of 1.15%. This may be due to automation and the increasing adoption of digital tools reducing the need for traditional clerical support.

First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers are also expected to see a decrease of 162 jobs or 0.70%, possibly due to shifts in retail, such as the rise of online shopping and the resulting changes in brick-and-mortar store operations.

Overall, these trends suggest a labor market that is adjusting to both technological advancements and changing industry demands, with significant growth in sectors linked to infrastructure, health care, and logistics.

• RLMA 1 (New Orleans) Major Occupations

• RLMA 2 (Baton Rouge) Major Occupations

• RLMA 3 (Houma) Major Occupations

• RLMA 4 (Lafayette)Major Occupations

• RLMA 5 (Lake Charles) Major Occupations

• RLMA 6 (Alexandria) Major Occupations

• RLMA 7 (Shreveport) Major Occupations

• RLMA 8 (Monroe) Major Occupations

Source: LWC Short-term Occupational Projections for All Occupations to 2024

(iii) EMPLOYERS’ EMPLOYMENT NEEDS

Louisiana has implemented a STAR rating system to classify occupations based on demand and wage levels. A five-star rating represents the most desirable occupations, characterized by high demand and high wages, while a one-star rating denotes the least desirable, marked by low demand and low wages. In Louisiana, there are 265,705 five-star jobs, making up 16% of the total; 482,073 four-star jobs, accounting for 28%; 233,785 three-star jobs, comprising 14%; 294,869 two-star jobs, representing 17%; and 428,973 one-star jobs, constituting 25% of the workforce. The full list of star ratings can be accessed at: https://www.laworks.net/stars/

• Five-star occupations in Louisiana

• Five-star occupations in NEW ORLEANS region

• Five-star occupations in Baton Rouge region

• Five-star occupations in HOUMA region

• Five-star occupations in LAFAYETTE region

• Five-star occupations in LAKE CHARLES region

• Five-star occupations in ALEXANDRIA region

• Five-star occupations in SHREVEPORT region

• Five-star occupations in MONROE region