Workforce News

Stay up to date with workforce trends and information on our region’s economic outlook.

Solid Job Market is Forecasted for the Third Quarter of 2021 for Chicago-Naperville- Joliet, IL-IN-WI MSA 

An increase in payrolls is expected in 31 percent of Midwest businesses surveyed during the coming quarter, while 2 percent of employers expect a decrease and 64 percent anticipate no change. The resulting Net Employment Outlook stands at +29%. Once the data is adjusted for seasonal variation, hiring prospects are moderately stronger in comparison with the prior quarter. In a comparison with 3Q 2020 – when COVID-19 first had an impact on hiring sentiment – the Outlook is considerably stronger.

Hiring prospects are considerably stronger in four of the Midwest industry sectors when compared with the previous quarter: Education & Health Services, Information, Durable Goods Manufacturing and Other Services.

Midwest employers in four industry sectors report a moderate quarter-over-quarter improvement in hiring plans: Construction, Financial Activities, Government and Transportation & Utilities.

Employers report slightly stronger hiring sentiment in four Midwest industry sectors when compared with the second quarter of 2021: Leisure & Hospitality, Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Professional & Business Services and Wholesale & Retail Trade.