Although the economy is sluggish, many industries are expected to continue to add Nevada jobs.

According to an article by the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, the state is expected to add 44,000 jobs through 2011. Jobs should decline by 1.1 percent in 2008, increase by .3 percent in 2009, increase by 1.8 percent in 2010 and increase by 2.4 percent in 2011.

According to the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the state’s five industries that increased in July 2008 include:

• manufacturing at .4 percent
• trade, transportation and utilities at 1.2 percent
• education and health services at 3.5 percent
• other services at 1.1 percent
• government at 4 percent

The natural resources and mining industry stayed level, employing 12,100 people in July 2008. The information industry employed 15,500 people, the same as last year.

The educational services, health care and public administration industries have been consistently increasing. The retail trade industry has benefited from Nevada’s population and visitor growth. Retail trade establishments are expected to add 8,000 jobs through 2011.

Nevada’s accommodation and food services industry employed 309,500 in 2007, and is expected to employ 322,400 in 2011.

Growth in the housing and construction industry are critical in rebuilding the states economy. This includes the planned openings of many new megaresorts and casinos, including Encore, City Center, Fontainebleau and the Cosmopolitan.

“Hopefully, the housing market will correct and cheaper energy costs will make travel more affordable,” the article notes. “If credit market fundamentals improve, the construction and real estate sectors can turn positive in late-2009. If the current crop of negative forces continues through 2009, the economy could stumble into 2010 or even 2011.”