Department of Economic Research (DER)

Long term occupational projection in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) occupations as defined by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in Massachusetts and 16 Workforce Development Areas. These 10-year forecasts, which are updated every other year, are intended to help individuals make informed education and career decisions and assist educators and training providers in planning for future needs. The projections currently cover the 2016-2026 period.

Beginning with these projections the BLS Separations methodology is used to project annual openings. The Separations methodology was developed to better capture a more accurate picture of the workforce and give BLS the ability to differentiate between workers who are leaving the labor force entirely, exits and those who are changing jobs and leaving an occupation, transfers. The annual openings are the sum of the projected net change plus tranfers plus exits (Openings = Projection Change + Exits + Transfers).

Short-term employment projections cover a two-year time span the base is 2018 Q2 and projects employment to 2020 Q2.

Statewide projections are currently available. MassHire Workforce Development Area projections are available for 2017 Q2 to 2019 Q2.

Beginning with these projections the BLS Separations methodology is used to project annual openings. The Separations methodology was developed to better capture a more accurate picture of the workforce and give BLS the ability to differentiate between workers who are leaving the labor force entirely, exits and those who are changing jobs and leaving an occupation, transfers. The annual openings are the sum of the projected net change plus tranfers plus exits (Openings = Projection Change + Exits + Transfers).