Industry News

Recently, the Center for State and Local Government Excellence at ICMA-RC or SLGE) released its issue brief, 35 and Under in the Public Sector: Comparisons by Industry. The Institute researched the views of public sector employees under age 35 by occupation. It studied employees in various occupations including: education, health care, public safety, among others. The brief compared the views of employees related to finances, employer benefits, morale, job satisfaction and long-term career plans.

According to the brief, education workers expressed the highest levels of financial concerns and public safety workers were the most likely to make their jobs a career.

Some of the key findings include:  

• Of the respondents, only 26% of K-12 education workers felt they were financially secure as compared to 49% of public safety workers;
• About 21% of the respondents with occupations in public works, utilities and transportation were very stressed in the last six months with those working in K-12 education feeling the highest level of stress at 42%; and
• About 58% of public safety workers indicated they were interested in remaining in the public sector until they retire; whereas, only 32% working in public works, utilities, and transportation occupations were likely to spend their entire career in public service.

According to the Institute, “Millennials and GenZ education workers report the highest levels of stress and financial concern, while higher salaries were the top priority across all professions when employees are considering a job change.” 

Further information is available here.