An Earth-Conscious Job Market
The job market had robust growth to close out Q1 of 2024. In addition, further strengths were illustrated by the national unemployment rate decrease and the workforce participation rate increase. Widespread hiring continues to occur. Rose International remains driven to connect more job seekers to job openings that are right for them.
With Earth Month underway and Earth Day fast approaching, much of the world highlights progress toward a more environmentally-sustainable future. The job market continues evolving to address industry shifts and bring opportunity for many through environmentally-focused jobs. With more of Corporate America committing to making more environmentally sustainable choices, jobs are changing to focus on keeping Earth healthy and green.
The Rose International Team understands the importance of protecting and restoring Planet Earth. Through its RENEW (Rose Effecting New Environmental Wellness) initiative, the company is committed to furthering its environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals through continued partnerships, new benchmarks and more.
A Growing Workforce
The job market grew by 303,000 jobs in March 2024 and the national unemployment rate decreased from 3.9% to 3.8%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Dow Jones estimated job growth would total 200,000. With 8.8 million job openings, the ratio of job openings to unemployed individuals was 1.3 to 1.
BLS data showed the job market gained 829,000 jobs in Q1 of 2024, which includes revised totals for January and February. To compare, there were 1,034,000 total jobs gained this time in 2023; which is a 19% decrease year over year.
Hiring continues to happen and demand for an agile contingent workforce continued, following the BLS’ revised data showing 12,200 temporary help services workers were hired in February 2024. Demand for temporary workers was also seen by a noticeable month-over-month growth for Rose International job openings. The organization’s job categories with the highest monthly growth were business professional, IT and admin/clerical.
As many organizations prioritize environmental sustainability, jobs now reflect this shift. Whether it’s new job opportunities or existing jobs that now have an environmental focus, there are opportunities for job seekers interested in a more environmentally sustainable future.
An Environmentally-Focused Job Market
Climate change adaptation is projected to be a net job creator, according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, accounting for 43.9% of job creation through 2027. In the contingent workforce, a need for workers in the renewable energy sector continues to gain significant momentum since 2023 and is projected to continue this year, as reported by Staffing Industry Analysts. Additionally, as companies aim to further ESG reporting and address compliance, this could also spark demand for temporary or contract workers to help organizations meet these needs.
Jobs focusing on the environment have various requirements for skills and education levels. However, many positions integrating environmentally-conscious approaches have familiar job descriptions involving administrative support, consultant, scientist, energy and more.
Countless capabilities are relevant to environmentally-focused jobs. Job seekers interested in making an Earth-conscious career switch can keep transferable hard and soft skills in mind, including:
2. Project management
3. Research
4. Communication
Having these skills can help job seekers pivot into a career focused on creating a better world for generations to come. As overall job growth continues and Corporate America shifts to a more environmentally sustainable job market, jobs are also likely to continue evolving. Rose International is eager to continue helping job seekers and doing its part to help planet Earth through its RENEW initiative.
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💼 Rose International is one of the largest providers of Staffing and Total Talent Solutions to corporations and government agencies, employing thousands of people in all 50 states. Certified minority- and woman-owned, the company is headquartered in St. Louis, MO and has offices and service delivery centers across the U.S. and India.
➡️ Rose International is hiring! Click here to view available job openings. Jobs are updated frequently, and job seekers are encouraged to check back often.