What’s behind occupational separations?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) produces 10year employment projections, by occupation and industry, to help workforce development professionals and education providers understand the future composition of the labor market. These projections are also used by individuals making career decisions. In addition to projecting the number of new jobs to be created, BLS estimates a broader measure of future job availability, which includes the projected number of occupational separations. The total number of occupational openings is the sum of three components: occupational growth, occupational transfers (e.g., an accountant becoming a manager), and labor force exits (e.g., a worker retiring). Collectively, occupational transfers and labor force exits are known as “separations,” and they are the primary driver of job openings.