(CNMI DOL) — The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor’s Employment Services Division has released their most recent annual report on job vacancies on the DOL website labor.cnmi.gov/. In reviewing the job vacancy trends over the past five years, this article highlights key sectors experiencing growth, as well as those facing declines, offering valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the local job market.
Analysis of the data reveals significant fluctuations in several key sectors. The construction and extraction industry has shown consistent demand, particularly in FY 2022, and remains relatively strong in recent years. On the other hand, sectors such as installation, maintenance, and repair faced a dip in 2022 but saw recovery and stabilization in FY 2023 and 2024, though still not fully reaching pre-2020 levels. Similarly, the building and grounds cleaning and maintenance sector has been in decline since FY 2020, with only a slight recovery in 2023 and no substantial growth observed in FY 2024.
The food preparation and serving industry experienced significant declines, especially during the pandemic, and while recovery began in subsequent years, openings have not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels.
Manufacturing and production roles showed a notable drop in FY 2021 and 2022, followed by a sharp rebound in 2023 and continuing recovery into FY 2024, suggesting positive signs for the manufacturing sector.
In contrast, the business and financial operations sector has seen a consistent downward trend, reaching its lowest point in FY 2024, signaling a shrinking demand for these roles. Personal care and service jobs, while high in FY 2020, also faced a decline but have shown slow recovery, though still remaining below 2020 levels by FY 2024. The demand for management-level positions has seen a sharp decline over the years, with minimal opportunities reported in FY 2024.
Healthcare practitioners and technical positions faced a decline from FY 2020 to FY 2024, although a slight recovery was noted in 2023. The transportation and material moving sector demonstrated growth, particularly between FY 2020 and 2023, though FY 2024 saw a slight dip. On the other hand, the computer and mathematical sector has shown minimal growth, with generally low demand across all years.
Healthcare support roles have seen significant growth in FY 2024, reflecting a growing demand for support staff in healthcare settings. Meanwhile, protective service roles have consistently declined, with demand hitting a low in FY 2023 and FY 2024. The legal sector, too, has experienced a sharp drop, with nearly no openings in FY 2024.
In terms of general market trends, sectors such as construction, transportation, and healthcare support have displayed resilience and growth, while others like business and financial operations, management, and legal services have faced ongoing declines. The pandemic’s impact on industries like food preparation and personal care is evident, though gradual recovery is occurring.
This analysis illustrates the dynamic nature of the CNMI job market since the pandemic and provides crucial insights into the evolving demands of various sectors. As industries continue to adjust to shifting needs and economic factors, the landscape of employment opportunities remains in flux.
For further information, contact the Department of Labor – Division of Employment Services at (670) 664-3190.
