Why it Matters

Georgia is in the middle of an unprecedented period of record-breaking economic success, including being named the number one state in the country to do business for 11 consecutive years. Georgia’s top industries continue to face challenges attracting and retaining the skilled workers, even with the economic boon in our state. These industries offer high-quality opportunities for Georgians across the state and are critical in supporting quality growth.

The Research

Georgia’s six fastest growing industries offer average annual salaries exceeding $77,000 and are expected to add a significant number of new jobs by 2030, leading at the forefront of Georgia’s sustained economic growth.

Nearly 500,000 supply chain and warehousing professionals maintain the state’s logistics network, expected to grow number of jobs at a greater rate than neighboring states. Georgia retains a higher share of medical residents than most southeastern states, at 59%, and is home to 2.1 million STEM professionals. The state’s construction industry has exploded, growing 12% in the past five years as development across the state expands at a rapid pace, and manufacturing jobs have grown as well, now totaling nearly 400,000 workers. Additionally, Georgia’s finance and insurance sector has boasted impressive growth following the pandemic, supporting a robust fintech sector which processes 70% of U.S. payment transactions.

The caveat to this growth is ensuring that businesses in these industries have the skilled workforce they need. Talent and labor shortages continues to be a top concern for Georgia executives. All of these industries host top opportunities which require some form of post-secondary training. While many initiatives exist to create on-ramps into these industries for both graduating students and current workers, increased awareness is needed to ensure individuals take advantage of these opportunities and begin their next step in career advancement.  

Why it Matters to Your Business

Employers have the opportunity to tap into additional talent by expanding awareness of high-demand fields in growing industries.

What You Can Do

• Engage with your local chambers of commerce and schools to identify opportunities to increase student awareness of career opportunities in your community.

• Explore additional talent on-ramp options such as apprenticeships, certifications and re-skilling that may fit your organization’s needs.   

What Georgia Can Do

• Continue to develop the talent pipelines in the state for K-12, post-secondary and non-traditional students.

• Bolster skill and career alignment initiatives to increase awareness of high-demand opportunities in the state.  

The Big Picture

Businesses, educational institutions, and non-profits all have a role in collaborating effectively to guide and prepare individuals for potential jobs and careers.