
DATE: Sunday, September 7, 1997             TAG: 9709050778

SECTION: BUSINESS                PAGE: D3   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: HAMPTON ROADS ALMANAC '97

SOURCE: BY MICHAEL CLARK, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   56 lines

EMPLOYMENT ``WE'RE STILL SEEING THAT SHIFT TOWARD SERVICE.''

Retail continues to provide the highest number of job openings in Hampton Roads and the state, according to the Virginia Employment Commission.

Between 1990 and 2005, the VEC estimates Hampton Roads will have 16,845 retail openings, with 5,568 from industry growth.

The state will see 71,731 openings during that time, 22,171 from growth. Other openings in both cases come from replacements.

``We're still seeing that shift toward service,'' said VEC senior economist Jim Wilson. ``Manufacturing was expected to fall 9 percent in the Norfolk MSA and the state level is falling 4.7 percent'' during the 15-year period.

The VEC recently reported factories furloughed about 9 percent fewer workers in July than the previous year while the state continues to post low unemployment rates.

Hampton Roads' July unemployment rate of 5.4 percent was better than June's 6.1 percent, but increased from the 5.0 recorded last July.

Local job-seekers have good prospects, said Karen Bailey, president and owner of Snelling Personnel Services, Virginia Beach. ``There are more openings than there are candidates,'' Bailey said.

Anne O'Brian, clerical manager for Arrow Temporary Services in Norfolk, compensates by ``filling entry-level positions with overqualified people.''

Strong job growth is seen in another retail category: cashiers.

The region will have 14,715 cashier jobs open, 5,167 from growth, while Virginia will have 65,466 positions available in the 15-year period.

The next highest number of openings will be for general managers and top executives in all industries. The state will see 59,957 openings. Hampton Roads will have 11,775.

That doesn't mean there's a lot of room at the top, Wilson said.

``These are not necessarily CEO positions,'' he said. ``They can include McDonald's managers, too.'' MEMO: BUSINESS ALMANAC ILLUSTRATION: Photos

IAN MARTIN/The Virginian-Pilot

Norshipco workers depart...

Strong growth in the retail sector...

Graphics

The Virginian-Pilot

WAGES AND JOB GROWTH IN HAMPTON ROADS

NEW BUSINESSES AND EXPANSIONS IN HAMPTON ROADS, 1994-'97

SOURCE: Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance (formerly

Forward Hampton Roads) and Virginia Peninsula Economic Development

Council