Insights and Perspectives

Launch Your Future! How Kansas is Transforming Career Development for the Next Generation

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 15:10:57 GMT

National Career Development Month is an annual observance that emphasizes the importance of career development and planning. National Career Development Month has been observed every November since 1967, when the National Career Development Association first began promoting it. The National Career Development Association (NCDA) is a leader in advancing career development initiatives across the U.S. The NCDA has stated that one of their primary focuses is building early career awareness in young students, starting as early as elementary school.

For professionals, this is a moment to reflect on training and advancement within their careers, but for students, this is a critical time for them to start mapping their future based on the real world and the current labor market.

This year, to celebrate National Career Development Month, we’re spotlighting an innovative initiative from the Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL). They are successfully tackling a long-standing challenge in workforce development, which is making complex Labor Market Information (LMI) engaging and accessible for young individuals.

The Challenge: Turning Spreadsheets into Career Intelligence

National Career Development Month is all about taking proactive steps toward your goals. This involves self-reflection, research, and setting up a clear action plan. The T.O.T.O platform is designed to facilitate all three, transforming raw Labor Market Information (LMI) data into what KDOL calls "career intelligence" for learners of all ages. Labor Market Information includes data on wages, job demand, and required education. Understanding LMI data is the foundation of making smart career decisions.

However, as KDOL’s Deputy Director for LMI, Laura Crosswhite, noted during our recent Pathways to Employment webinar, “This data is often not presented in a way that resonates with its most crucial audience, which is students. Middle school kids and high school kids may not be able to utilize a lot of Excel spreadsheets or things like that to really make smart decisions about their future."

Kansas’s solution was a dedicated, creative platform called T.O.T.O., which stands for “Today’s Occupations and Tomorrow’s Opportunities.” The goal of T.O.T.O. was to create a Kansas-themed platform that makes career exploration interactive, creative, and accessible, transforming LMI data into career intelligence for learners of all ages, built on Geographic Solutions’ Virtual Career Center Portal.

From Spark to System: The TOTO Story

The idea for a site called Todays Occupation and Tomorrows Opportunities (T.O.T.O.) with a Wizard of Oz theme was initially intended for Kansas’s Labor Market Information Platform. The LMI platform was called KLIC, or “click” instead. The team still wanted to use the name T.O.T.O. and decided to use it for a single page on the LMI site, which contained career exploration and planning materials. But it truly took off after Laura and the KDOL LMI team saw a similar system in New Mexico and realized the potential for a dedicated Virtual Career Center.
For the Kansas LMI team, the platform’s creation was a proud, in-house effort. According to Laura, her team, including Gideon Hockenberger, Data Analyst, and Rosy Marquez, LMI Publications and Outreach Specialist, who joined Laura on the Pathways to Employment webinar was key in the creation and made the build of the system almost effortless, She described the alignment of skills as being "so cliche, it was just kind of magical, and everything just kind of fell into place." This internal capacity meant, as Gideon Hockenbarger put it, "The Kansas LMI shop finally had the resources available to actually do a project that they've been wanting to do for a long time."

Putting Data to Work: TOTO’s Key Features

The TOTO platform integrates all essential career resources and LMI data in a meaningful, simplified way, directly supporting the key aspects of Career Development Month.

1. Fostering Self-Awareness and Exploration
A core activity during Career Development Month is helping individuals, especially students, understand where their talents and interests align within the workforce.
TOTO’s built-in assessments turn this step into an efficient process.

Assessment Linkage: T.O.T.O. offers interests and values assessments, which Laura called one of her favorite features, detailing "How it links all that information together for kids after they take those assessments, and it links them up with the careers that really match their interests". This powerful linkage is key to "simplifying that process of career exploration and cutting out some of that extra work."

Path Planning: The system integrates directly with state educational goals, supporting the requirement that “Every student in Kansas has to have what they call an individual plan of study before they can graduate, and that’s something that T.O.T.O. can help with," according to Laura.

2. Realistic Financial Literacy: The Wizard of Jobs

Career planning requires an understanding of the financial realities of various professions. Rosie emphasized the tool's value, saying, “LMI data tells you what occupations pay, and that's important to know, so that way you can live the life that you want.”

The TOTO platform’s Wizard of Jobs application is a powerful lifestyle budgeting tool that makes these realities tangible. Recounting the proud experience of testing with students, Laura explained the tool's impact.
“The Wizard of Jobs tool has been a fun one to test with kids. It tells them how much you need to earn to afford the lifestyle that you've chosen. We ask them, ‘What do you think about that? Do you think it's high or low?’”
The tool prompts a necessary conversation about wages, cost of living, and expectations, a critical component of career development.

3. Addressing Skill Gaps and Future Outlook

National Career Development Month is also about setting actionable goals for education and training. T.O.T.O. uses LMI data to give users the facts about their job's outlook. Laura detailed how the system makes the links for users.

Projections: Users can find out the “employment projections data, so they can understand whether their occupation might be growing or declining." This helps determine if they will "be able to get a job in this career field when I graduate from school."

Training and Education: Once a career is chosen, the platform shows them "Where in Kansas, specifically, they can get that education or training that they need."

Non-Traditional Paths: KDOL creates guides on the T.O.T.O. site, including one on “high demand, high wage jobs that require less than a bachelor’s degree” to help students who may not see a four-year degree as the right path. They also support students who are interested in hands-on learning, for example, the site can help by "linking up students with the Kansas registered apprenticeship program", supporting all forms of professional development and growth.

Success Through User Feedback

The ultimate measure of a Career Development resource is its adoption by the end-user. The T.O.T.O. team recognized that a digital tool must be continually shaped by its users.

The team conducted extensive end-user testing with schools and students. As Rosie noted, this included visiting schools and observing reactions in real-time, because "it's interesting to see what kids pick up on and what they don't pick up on."

They worked hard to walk the line between being engaging and being "too kiddy". Gideon explained that they couldn't use "overly cartoon graphics" or “overly simplified language” to ensure they were not treating teenagers like children.

The ultimate reward was positive feedback from the end-users. Laura recalled her "proud mom moments" when kids told them, "Oh, this is way better than Zella or way better than Naviance.” She summarized this celebration by saying, "I feel like I did it. I won"

Take Charge of Your Future This November

National Career Development Month is a great time to launch or refine your own career plan. Whether you’re a parent, educator, job seeker, or professional, explore the resources available to you.

This November, use TOTO’s example as inspiration. The Kansas T.O.T.O. platform is an excellent example of what happens when state agencies and technology align to deliver career development resources, helping every student find their “Pathways to Employment.”

Embracing Change: The Rise of Hybrid Work in a Post-Pandemic World

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 20:15:00 GMT

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the professional landscape has undergone significant transformation. Back in 2020, many organizations adopted fully remote work. Now, as preferences shift once again, there is a shift toward hybrid work models. This evolution reflects a growing desire among employees for flexibility that accommodates both their professional and personal lives.

This is especially evident across generations. A recent survey by Geographic Solutions of 500 active job seekers sheds light on the shifting attitudes. The findings reveal a noticeable decline in the desire for fully remote roles with only 13% of job seekers across all ages preferring this work model. Instead, the spotlight is firmly on hybrid work models, especially among younger job seekers, such as Gen Z (57%) and Millennials (50%).

Job seekers are placing greater value on flexibility – not just in terms of where they work but how they work. Robert Half’s 2025 U.S. Hiring Outlook underscores this point, stating “Workplace flexibility has become a paramount candidate expectation. Firms that prioritize hybrid work and flexible schedules may have more success in wooing the skilled professionals they need. “

Corporate Resistance to Hybrid Work

Not everyone agrees with this new way of working. Many companies are doubling down on a traditional office setup, expressing concerns over productivity, collaboration, and company culture. Amazon, Dell, and AT&T are a few of the countless other high-profile companies that are mandating a return-to-office policy for their corporate employees. Such moves have sparked debates about the future of work, with many employees pushing back against rigid policies.

Despite this pushback, the momentum behind hybrid work seems unstoppable. Companies that embrace this model are better positioned to meet the evolving expectations of today’s workforce. By offering employees flexible schedules, employers can foster higher job satisfaction, improve mental health, and boost productivity.

A report from McKinsey Global Institute shows that 87% of employees say they would be more productive if they had greater control over their work environments. Additionally, research from ADP shows that flexible work arrangements have helped 36% of employees reduce stress and thrive in their roles.

Strategies for Successful Hybrid Work Environments

For HR leaders, the challenge lies in creating policies and strategies that promote flexibility without compromising productivity. Establishing a successful hybrid work environment requires a thoughtful approach to maintain this delicate balance.

To achieve this, companies should develop comprehensive processes, actively nurture workplace culture, and provide clear guidelines and resources for team collaboration. By implementing intentional strategies that support and empower employees both in the office and at home, organizations can create a solid foundation for effective flexible work arrangements.

According to Chris Lobo, payroll manager at HR Options “…You have to ensure your colleagues have what they need to work effectively in and out of the office. You need to leverage collaboration, task management, and project management tools for people across the organization if you're going to successfully maintain a hybrid work model.”

The Future Landscape of Work

Looking ahead, this trend represents a fundamental shift in how, when, and where work gets done. As the labor market continues to evolve, hybrid work is rapidly becoming less of a trend and more of a fundamental restructuring of how we conceptualize professional productivity and workplace dynamics.

The future of work is not about choosing between remote and in-office arrangements – it’s about creating adaptive, flexible, and human-centric environments that meet the diverse needs of job seekers and employees. As younger generations continue to enter the workforce with their expectations and values, the hybrid work model will likely become the new standard rather than an expectation.

The Role of Labor Market Information in Graduates' Career Planning

Tue, 21 May 2024 20:31:49 GMT

May marks the exciting milestone of graduation season. Across the country, college students are taking their first steps into the professional world. However, stepping into the dynamic and evolving job market can be challenging without the right information. For new graduates, the state of the labor market has implications beyond getting your first job. Understanding the state of the labor market and labor market information is crucial for recent graduates to make informed decisions about their career paths.

What is Labor Market Information

The labor market refers to the supply and demand for labor. Employees provide the supply and employers provide the demand. Labor Market Information (LMI) is a set of data and insights that helps describe how jobs are changing, now and into the future. LMI provides essential data about job trends, salaries, industry demands, required skills, and education levels.

Why LMI Matters for Recent Graduates

Graduates can use this valuable information to make informed decisions regarding their career paths. For graduates, LMI serves as a compass, guiding them through the initial stages of their professional journeys. LMI can answer questions such as “how much does a job pay,” “how many jobs are available now,” and “what is the growth rate for this job.” By understanding and leveraging labor market information, graduates can gain a better understanding of the labor market by having the ability to identify job trends and opportunities as well as learn how to align their skills with the demands of various industries.

What Does the Current Job Market Look Like for College Graduates

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of March 2024, the current unemployment rate is 3.8%. However, recent college graduates face a different job market. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, in March 2024, about 4.7% of recent college graduates were unemployed in the U.S. Until 2018, the unemployment rate for recent graduates was lower than the overall unemployment rate. Since then, it has hovered under a percentage point above the overall rate. However, this gap has recently widened. Recent graduates are also more likely to be underemployed, meaning they are working in jobs that do not require a college degree. In March 2024, recent graduates had an underemployment rate of 40.8% compared to college graduates with an underemployed rate of 33.1%. Although unemployment and underemployment for recent graduates are higher than historical rates. According to the Harvard Business Review, the strength of the labor market can positively impact recent graduates, and students who graduate into a strong labor market will earn more throughout their careers than those who graduate during a recession. The time of the year can also positively impact recent graduates, Phillip Sprehe Geographic Solutions’ Sr. Economist, explained more on this during the Big Interview YouTube Expert series on Labor Market Trends. He compared seasonally adjusted and unadjusted job postings, and he found that March and April are the best months to find opening and December tends to be the worst.

Using Geographic Solutions LMI Tools

Geographic Solutions empowers individuals with the information that they need to make informed career decisions. Through innovative software solutions, graduates can gain access to data and insights that they can use to navigate the complex job market with confidence. Geographic Solutions offers user-friendly LMI tools like Virtual LMI (VLMI) and Virtual Career Center (VCC). Virtual Career Center (VCC) provides colleges with an online platform that helps students prepare for entering the workforce after graduation. VCC’s personalized dashboard and algorithms match students with relevant internships and job opportunities based on their data. Virtual LMI (VLMI), is an online platform that provides individuals with the ability to perform detailed analyses, compare job market statistics, and explore various career paths.

Maximizing LMI for Career Success

By having access to real time data on job opportunities, salary ranges, and skills requirements, graduates can make informed decisions about their first steps in their career paths. Understanding what employers are looking for and how to stand out for entry level jobs can be challenging. By using LMI to complement research, graduates can gain a better understanding of what will be expected for a certain role. Graduates can leverage LMI effectively by tailoring their resume with skills and qualifications identified through LMI, use industry-specific insights and trends from LMI to impress potential employers during interviews, and negotiate a competitive salary based on skills, education, training, and knowledge of industry averages.

Go Forth into the Job Market with the Power of LMI

Labor Market Information is a valuable resource that empowers graduates to navigate the job market confidently. By leveraging LMI tools, the class of 2024 can make informed career decisions that align with their goals and the demands of today's job market, contributing to the success of the next generation of the workforce.

Celebrating Working Women from the Past, Present, and Future

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 20:40:59 GMT

March is Women's History Month, a time to honor women’s contributions to history, culture, and society. The celebration of Women's History Month in the United States dates back to the early 20th century. In 1978, the first celebration of Women’s History Week took place in Sonoma, California. The movement continued to grow, and in 1987, Congress designated March as Women's History Month. Since then, each U.S. President has issued annual proclamations to honor and recognize the contributions of women to American history and society. As we reflect on the progress made, it is essential to shine a spotlight on women in the workforce, acknowledging the major strides women have made in the labor market, and addressing the challenges that they still face.

A Historical Perspective on Women in the Labor Force

The history of women in the workforce highlights their resilience and determination, from the early struggles for basic workplace rights to the present-day pursuit of leadership roles. Women have continuously overcome barriers and reshaped the professional landscape. In the early 20th century, most women in the United States did not work outside of the home and had limited education. According to Janet Yellen, previous chair of the Federal Reserve Board, in the 1930s, the number of women who entered the workforce began to grow with participation rates reaching 50% for single women by 1930 and 12% for married women. During this time, it was still the norm for married women to leave the workforce after marriage.

Between the 1930s and 1970s, women’s participation in the economy continued to rise due to World War II, women's rights movements, and improved educational opportunities. According to Janet Yellen, by 1970, 50% of single women and 40% of married women were participating in the labor force. By the end of the 20th century, women's labor force participation continued to grow, but had not yet reached the same level as men. The labor force participation rate of prime working-age women reached just over 74%, compared with 93% for prime working-age men. Women were increasing their education and joining professions formally dominated by men such as those found in the medical, legal, and education fields. While the gender wage gap began to close, it persisted.

Current Labor Market Barriers

Today women play an essential role in our economy. While many women need to work for their economic security, it has also become a cultural norm for most households to have both partners engaged in the workforce. According to the Center for American Progress, the labor force participation rate for prime-age women hit 77%, exceeding the level in 2019 (76%). The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on women in the workforce, but in post pandemic years, women’s employment has seen significant improvement thanks to a strong post-pandemic recovery. Women with children younger than 18 saw an improvement in employment with 993,000 more mothers working in December 2022 than one year prior. Mothers of children younger than age 5 have seen employment levels recover more slowly than mothers of school-age children, with employment standing at just over 99% of the pre-pandemic level. Despite progress, women with minor children at home face reduced employment opportunities, especially those with the youngest children. Gender gaps in employment rates between mothers and fathers remain significant.

Women still face gender pay gaps despite recent progress, men outearn women within every age group. According to the Center of American Progress, among younger workers, ages 16–24, women’s median weekly earnings are about 8% lower than men’s. The gap is even larger for prime-age workers, with women earning 16% less than men. Earnings gaps are more pronounced for many women of color due to racial bias in the workplace. This wage gap has significant consequences for long-term economic security, contributing to higher rates of poverty in old age, especially for widows, divorced women, or women who never got married.

The Future of Women in the Workforce

The future of women in the workforce is promising, as women continue to break down gender barrier and push for ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity. In the last few years there has been a growing emphasis on diversity and companies are recognizing the value of women's talents and perspectives across all industries. Initiatives for equal opportunities, mentorship programs, and family-friendly policies are becoming more prevalent, creating an environment that allows women to grow professionally.

Remote work has opened more opportunities for women to work from any location giving them more flexibility to seamlessly balance their career aspiration with family life. Women are also obtaining higher levels of education setting them up for leadership positions, higher paying jobs, and roles within male dominated fields. However, barriers still exist including the gender wage gap, stereotypes, and biases. Women must overcome these barriers to create a truly equal workforce. Advocacy for women's rights and ongoing commitment to creating inclusive workplaces will be crucial in shaping a future where women can continue to thrive. The evolving labor market has the opportunity for a future where diversity and gender equality are not just ideals but can be an attainable reality.

Labor Market Continues to Expand in 2024

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 14:12:00 GMT

The Labor Market Report is derived from two monthly surveys from The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) that measure labor market trends: The Current Employment Statistics (CES) survey and The Current Population Survey (CPS).

The U.S. Economy Gained 275,000 Jobs in February

Key Takeaway: Job creation finished close to the Geographic Solutions, Inc. expectations of 258,000 jobs and well above the WSJ Survey expectations of 198,000 jobs.

THE EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE
According to the monthly Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report, employment in the U.S. in February 2024 gained 275,000 additional jobs, while the unemployment rate increased to 3.9%. Despite downward revisions in December and January, employment ended February with the best 3-month performance since the April-June 2023 period.

JOB CREATION
Job creation was strongest in the Private Education & Health Services (+85,000), Leisure & Hospitality (+58,000), and Government (+52,000) sectors, while no sectors saw significant job loss. Leisure & Hospitality employment is 0.1% below its total in February 2020. It is on track to surpass its pre-pandemic peak next month and would be the last major sector to achieve this.

UNEMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE
The U-6 unemployment rate nudged up to 7.3% in February from 7.2% in January. The rise in both types of unemployment rates (U-3 & U-6) with an unchanged labor force participation rate sends a different signal from the employment numbers. It shows a weakening labor market.

REAL WAGES
Real wages have consistently increased since September 2023. Inflation data will not be released until next week but if prices rose similarly to the previous four months, real wages declined in February.

Job Growth Remains Steady in July

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:32:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for July 2023 on Friday, August 4th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 187,000 jobs. The job results were below the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 244,000 while the WSJ estimate was closer at 200,000. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job openings, job applications, job severances, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%. The Geographic Solutions forecast matched the 3.5% result and outperformed the WSJ estimate of 3.6%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, job severances, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job creation was strongest in the Education & Health Services (100,000) sector. Other sectors were modestly positive, but the Manufacturing, Information, and Professional & Business Services industries lost jobs.

Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment levels.

Labor force participation maintained its 62.6% rate for the fifth consecutive month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment declined to 6.7%.

Looking at employment over the last year, it appears that the Fed’s interest rate policy has had a moderate effect on the labor market. With the exceptions of January and May 2023, job growth has been on a slight glide path to end up under 200,000 in June and July. Education & Health Services has led the way in job increases for the second straight month and made up most of new jobs in July. This might be due to seasonal factors that have changed in the post-pandemic era and will require consideration for any yo-yo effects that might occur in the coming months. The near-term prognosis for the labor market is likely sub-200,000 monthly job growth as the Fed’s interest rate hike continued to work their way through the economy.

Labor Market Report Shows Continuity in June

Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:17:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for June 2023 on Friday, July 7th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 209,000 jobs. The job results were below the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 248,000, but was virtually tied with the Wall Street Journal estimate of 240,000. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job openings, job applications, job severances, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%. The Geographic Solutions, Inc. had anticipated an uptick to 3.8% while the WSJ estimated it would decline to 3.6%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, job searchers, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Job creation was strongest in the Education & Health Services (73,000) and Government (60,000) sectors. Other sectors were flat or down. However, Construction did add 23,000 jobs.

Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment levels.

Labor force participation maintained its 62.6% rate from the previous three months. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment increased to 6.9%.

The June employment report revealed that payroll jobs continue to grow at a brisk pace, despite the fears of a slowdown as the Federal Reserve tackles inflation. These results are in line with expectations, and there is not a lot to draw on for what we might see in the months ahead. Job openings still far outnumber the unemployed, so that is somewhat promising for future job growth.

GSI Labor Market Report: June 2023

Thu, 06 Jul 2023 16:56:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) and Current Population Survey (CPS) report for June 2023 on Friday, July 7th. Geographic Solutions, Inc. has produced forecasts of the two most closely watched macroeconomic data series from the report: the monthly change in employment and the monthly unemployment rate.

As seen in the chart below, jobs are predicted to increase in June by 248,000. Geographic Solutions derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job openings, job applications, job severances, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

Portrayed in the chart below is the 3.8% unemployment rate that Geographic Solutions forecasts for June, up 0.1% from its May rate. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, job searchers, and unemployment applications filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor.

After the release of the report, Geographic Solutions will post a full analysis of the results.

Employment Steadily Expands in April

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:22:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for April 2023 on Friday, May 5th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 253,000 jobs. The job results were above the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 212,000. The forecast outperformed the WSJ estimate of 180,000. April’s unexpectedly strong results are the second disruption to the slowing trend we have seen in hiring, since July 2022. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job counts and gross posts filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate declined to 3.4%, tying a 50-year low. The Geographic Solutions forecast had anticipated an uptick to 3.6%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, unemployment applications, and job severances on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

Job creation was strongest in Education & Health Services (77,000). Leisure & Hospitality, Professional & Business Services, and the Government sectors were the other major contributors to employment. All industries saw at least some positive job growth.

Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment levels.

Labor force participation maintained its 62.6% rate from the previous month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment declined to 6.6%.

The April employment report is a great sign that the labor market is steadily adding jobs in the face of interest rate increases by the Federal Reserve, even though revisions decreased new job creation by a combined 149,000 in February and March. Additionally, April shows the fallout of the regional bank failures in March which do not seem to have had a dramatic impact. The possibility of avoiding a sustained period of job loss is still a challenge but appears somewhat more feasible after April’s performance.

GSI Labor Market Forecast: April 2023

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:44:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) will release its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) and Current Population Survey (CPS) report for April 2023 on Friday, May 5th. Geographic Solutions, Inc. has produced forecasts of the two most closely watched macroeconomic data series from the report: the monthly change in employment and the monthly unemployment rate.

Geographic Solutions’ data is signaling further softening in the number of new jobs in April. As seen in the chart below, jobs are predicted to increase in April by 212,000. Geographic Solutions derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of jobs counts and gross posts filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

Portrayed in the chart below is the 3.6% unemployment rate that Geographic Solutions forecasts for April, up 0.1% from its March rate. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, unemployment applications, and job severances on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

After the release of the report, Geographic Solutions will post a full analysis of the results.

Employment Gains Still Going Strong in March

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 18:38:39 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for March 2023 on Friday, April 7th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 236,000 jobs. The jobs results were below the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 317,000 but in line with the WSJ forecast of 238,000. This is the second consecutive month that job growth has slowed which may signal that employment has returned to the slowing pattern it had established throughout the second half of 2022. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job searchers, job applications, job severances, and applications for unemployment benefits filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate declined slightly to 3.5%, matching the WSJ estimate. The Geographic Solutions forecast had anticipated an uptick to 3.7%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, unemployment applications, and job severances on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

Job creation was strongest in Leisure & Hospitality (72,000) and Education & Health Services (65,000). Other major contributors to employment were Professional & Business Services and the Government sectors. Construction shed 9,000 jobs. Other industries were flat.

Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment levels.

The labor force participation rate increased to 62.6% from the previous month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment declined to 6.7%.

The March Labor Market Report shows that job growth has slowed. Although fewer, the representation remained a solid expansion, with an increase in the labor force participation rate. Furthermore, year-over-year private sector wage gains increased at the lowest rate since June 2021, an encouraging sign that the inflation rate remains on a downward trajectory. However, the surveys for the report were conducted in early March, and do not reflect the recent turmoil in the banking system. This may have future ramifications for jobs and unemployment based on a mix of reactions from the Federal Reserve, the U.S Treasury Department, and employers.

Large Employment Gains Continue in February

Fri, 10 Mar 2023 13:46:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for February 2023 on Friday, March 10th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 311,000 jobs. The jobs results were above the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 264,000 but closer than the WSJ forecast of 225,000. Although the gains were smaller than the surprising 504,000 new jobs in January, the performance in February was still strong. It is still a bit early to conclude that employment has reestablished its softening pattern after the growth outburst in January. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job searchers, job severances, and applications for unemployment benefits filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate increased to 3.6%, right in line with the Geographic Solutions forecast. The WSJ estimated that the unemployment rate would remain unchanged at 3.4%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, unemployment applications, and job severances on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

Job creation was strongest in Leisure & Hospitality (105,000) and Education & Health Services (74,000). Job growth was mixed in other industries but positive on net.

Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment level.

The labor force participation rate increased to 62.5% from the previous month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment rose to 6.8%.

The jobs market is in an interesting spot as it relates to inflation. Typically, large job gains are seen as putting upward pressure on inflation. However, more jobs can also increase production and having more goods and services in the market can alleviate inflation from the supply side. Wage data from the report is signaling that inflation caused by increased salary demands by employees is on the wane. Wage increases have slowed for three consecutive months and are at the lowest growth rate in a year. At this point it is still too early to conclude that inflation rates are definitively heading downward, but this report is giving us reasons for optimism.

Employment Remains Above 200K, but Shows Signs of Slowing

Fri, 06 Jan 2023 15:55:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for December 2022 on Friday, January 6^th. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 223,000 jobs. The jobs results ended up between the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 273,000 and the WSJ forecast of 200,000. Job growth has been slightly softening since August 2022. Additionally, with the exceptions of the outbursts in job creation in February and July 2022 depicted in the above chart, job growth has been gradually weakening since October 2021. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job searchers and applications for unemployment benefits filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate fell to 3.5%, below the Geographic Solutions and WSJ forecasts of 3.7%. The unemployment rate forecast uses internal data on the number of job openings, job searchers, job applications, unemployment applications, and job severances on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

Job creation was strongest in Education & Health Services (78,000) and Leisure & Hospitality (67,000). Job growth was flat in all other industries except Trade, Transportation, & Utilities and Construction which gained a combined 55,000 jobs.

While all sectors continued to grow in 2022, Leisure & Hospitality and Government are the only major sectors to remain below their pre-pandemic employment level.

The labor force participation rate increased to 62.3% from the previous month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment declined to 6.5%.

The U.S. labor market expanded by 4.5 million jobs in 2022 as recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic continues. Despite this impressive achievement, it appears that the Federal Reserve’s drastic interest rate increases have managed to slow the pace of job growth throughout the year, albeit unevenly. Wage increases also seem to be tapering off. Both of those developments bode well for taming inflation and bringing price relief to consumers in 2023. The main question in the new year is will the Federal Reserve be able to accomplish this without pushing the labor market into a downturn.

Job Creation Maintains Healthy Expansion in March

Fri, 01 Apr 2022 13:11:00 GMT

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released its monthly Current Employment Statistics (CES) report and Current Population Survey (CPS) for March 2022 on Friday, April 1^st. The monthly change in employment given by the CES and the unemployment rate from the CPS are seen as the standard gauges for assessing the health of the U.S. labor market.

Employment in the U.S. rose by 431,000 jobs. The jobs report exceeded the Geographic Solutions, Inc. forecast of 382,000, but the forecast outperformed the Wall Street Journal estimate of 490,000 new jobs. Geographic Solutions, Inc. derives its employment forecast from internal data on the number of job searchers, job applications, job severances, and applications for unemployment benefits filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL).

The unemployment rate fell to 3.6%, below the Geographic Solutions forecast of 3.8% and the WSJ forecast of 3.7%. The unemployment rate forecast used internal data on the number of job openings, job searchers, job applications, job severances, and the number of applications for unemployment benefits filed on Geographic Solutions state client sites. The forecast uses unemployment claims data from the USDOL.

Job creation was strongest in Leisure & Hospitality (112,000) and Professional & Business services (102,000). Job growth was widespread with all major industries seeing job increases in March.

In March the Construction industry joined Professional & Business Services; Trade, Transportation, & Utilities; and Financial Activities as one of the sectors that has recovered all jobs lost since the beginning of the pandemic. Leisure & Hospitality employment continues to surge but is the only sector to remain more than 5% below its pre-pandemic employment level.

The labor force participation rate increased to 62.4% from the previous month. The more expansive U-6 unemployment rate counts discouraged workers who are no longer actively seeking work (and therefore no longer in the labor force) and those that have settled for part-time employment but desire a full-time job. This measure of unemployment fell to 6.9%. A growing labor force participation rate along with strong job growth indicate that the labor market is on a healthy path.

March employment continued its record streak of growing by more than 400,000 jobs per month since May 2021. At this pace jobs should return to their February 2020 total in four months. Many of the detrimental effects of inflation, interest rate increases from the Federal Reserve, and the Russian invasion of Ukraine drawing concern were not noticeable in the results. Their impact may have been counteracted by the decline in Covid-19 cases during the period, and higher inflation may have unexpectedly spurred some retirees to re-enter the workforce. However, these monetary and geopolitical threats to the economy certainly remain in the months to come.

Geographic Solutions' Economist Phillip Sprehe Forecasts Job Growth For Southern Georgia

Wed, 12 Jan 2022 14:30:00 GMT

Employment in the region is only a few hundred jobs away from reaching its pre-pandemic high of 79,000 jobs in February 2020.

Story first appeared at WTXL Tallahassee

In a recent news story that appeared on WTXL Tallahassee, reporter Shniece Archer interviewed several business owners around the downtown Thomasville, Georgia area. Based on results seen in 2021, they're anticipating an economic boost and more foot traffic this year.

Geographic Solutions economist Phillip Sprehe's analysis backs these observations up. He predicts continued economic recovery and job growth for the southern Georgia counties of Thomas, Decatur, and Lowndes.

"It should complete its recovery sometime in the late-spring, early-summer this year and then extend out through 2022 to finish up the year with 80,000 total jobs," Sprehe said.

He forecasts job growth in Thomas, Decatur, and Lowndes County, and notes that is should continue at a steady pace throughout the year.

"The recovery is going to continue, the growth is going to be consistent and healthy and we'll see a return to in-store retail activities," Sprehe said.

According to Sprehe, employment in Georgia is only a few hundred jobs away from reaching its pre-pandemic high of 79,000 jobs in February 2020. Retail, Transportation, and Warehousing constitute the highest number of employment of any industry in the area. These sectors, along with Leisure & Hospitality and Construction are posed to drive job growth in South Georgia through 2022.

Visit WTXL Tallahassee's website to read the entire story.

Paint By Cluster: How Career Clusters Became More Visually Appealing, And Their Role In Education’s Future

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 14:52:00 GMT

Did you know that there are 16 career clusters and 79 career pathways that help students of all ages navigate their way to success in their college and career journeys?

Following the unified concepts of the National Career Clusters Framework, an organizing tool that began as part of an initiative to create a curricular framework and prepare students for educational transitions, each grouping contains occupations in the same field of work that require similar skills. Students, parents, and educators can use the clusters to focus on the knowledge, competencies, and training necessary for success in a particular pathway.

Source: air.org

Finding a comprehensive list of clusters and pathways online is as simple as visiting the Occupational Information Network’s website, which is perhaps better known by its acronym, O*NET. The online application provides the general public with broad access to the national database of occupational information.

But, text-based information can only go so far, especially with the next generation of learners more inclined to watch a video, or similar graphic interpretation. Visually seeing what a job’s day-to-day responsibilities entail is much more invigorating than simply reading about it.

Over the last few years, CareerOneStop.com, overhauled their entire library of career pathways videos. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, the site is a trusted source of employment information and inspiration, and offers tools for job seekers, students, businesses, and career professionals.

The Spark That Started It All

The movement around career clusters began in 1996 as the Building Linkages Initiative, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Department of Education, the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE), the National School-to-Work Office (NSTWO), and the National Skill Standards Board (NSSB).

The purpose of the initiative was to establish linkages among state educational agencies, secondary and post-secondary educational institutions, employers, industry groups, other stakeholders, and federal agencies. The goal was to create curricular frameworks in broad career clusters, designed to prepare students to transition successfully from high school to post-secondary education and employment within a career pathway.

Source: blogs.uis.edu

What’s in Store for the Future of Education?

Education’s future will continue to retain its BUILD Initiative and career cluster structure, while taking notes from digital transformation.

Based on the results from a recent survey conducted by Ellucian, the future of education will embrace new student values perhaps not considered in the traditional education model, such as personalized pathways, technology-driven advisor relationships, and a friction-free approach to career path selection.

Through 2020, technology will influence several industries, and the education industry is on the cusp of these changes. Although often considered cliché, advancing trends in technology such as voice assistance, predictive analytics, and chatbots will assist in further opening the door to equitable access.

Forbes.com recently wrote that new apps and software will ease learning barriers for students of all learning types. Most notably, video conferencing will play a significant role in accessibility, giving specialized support to even the most remote students.

Enter Virtual Career Center

Geographic Solutions is committed to playing an evolutionary role in education’s advancing future. Virtual Career Center (VCC), our web-based career services portal, is making strides in giving students a personalized career development experience.

CareerOneStop.com’s recent move to visually enhance career pathways has been reflected in VCC. Now, students who are using VCC to map out their school-to-work journey can view all occupational videos within the Occupation Finder.

Source: Virtual Career Center

Meant to give students the opportunity to discover professions that fit their needs, VCC’s Occupation Finder presents results filtering by career path, outlook and demand, wage, education and experience. The occupational profile provides valuable exploration information like top skills, tools and technology, and other competencies required to be successful on the job.

To lessen any doubt about a given profession’s monetary outlook, VCC offers regional labor market information to gauge occupational supply and demand. Students can further explore colleges, programs and current employment opportunities to begin planning their prosperity pathway.

With self-assessments and exploration tools that help learners make key educational decisions, relationship-first technology that drives one-to-one advisor communications, and employer-centric collaboration tools designed to assist in finding reliable, local talent, Virtual Career Center stands at the forefront of the next educational revolution.

Find out if Virtual Career Center is right for your region, state, school, or business by contacting Business Development Executive, Chuck Johnson.

Three Sessions You Can't Miss At The 2019 Workforce Technology Conference

Sun, 21 Apr 2019 15:44:00 GMT

This year's Workforce Technology Conference is less than two months away, and we're excited to deliver an agenda full of new ideas, innovations, and training opportunities.

To save you from a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out), here are three "can't miss" sessions you'll definitely want to attend.

The Next Steps

What does the future hold for Geographic Solutions' product line in 2020 and beyond? Hosted by President Paul Toomey, this session will give you an inside look at what's new and what's changing throughout our software suite. As part of the presentation, hear from our senior-level product architects about cutting-edge features currently in development.

The State of Recruitment Advertising

Recruitment advertising used to be Monster, CareerBuilder, whatever niche sites an employer used, and potentially a state or local workforce site. But, with the growth of Indeed, the development of Google Jobs, the use of LinkedIn for networking and recruitment, and the forthcoming effect of artificial intelligence, the landscape has changed. Join Advanced Interactive Media Group's Peter Zollman for an open discussion on these trends and more.

Best Practices and Enhancements

Don't miss your chance to have an active role in enhancing the user and customer experience. Broken out into three separate tracks, join subject matter experts from Geographic Solutions' workforce development, unemployment insurance, and labor market information teams to vote in real time on potential enhancements to our product line.

Regular Registration Closing Soon

If you haven't already registered, now is the time! We're looking forward to seeing you this summer in California for four immersive days of training, learning, and networking. Prices will increase on May 4, 2019, so act now, and take advantage of our regular registration rate.