What will a new president mean for Atlanta jobs?

Today is election day, and with 760,000 Americans losing their jobs so far this year, job creation is a top priority for many voters. Georgia is no exception. The state had the second-highest number of job losses during September and an unemployment rate of 6.5 percent. According to an article by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, about 317,500 people in Georgia are looking for work.

Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a Chicago-based outplacement firm, recently released a report analyzing both presidential candidates platforms and policies, including those dealing with job creation. The election of either candidate could help certain industries in the Atlanta area.

Under Republican candidate John McCain, the following industries would most likely grow:

• aerospace and defense. McCain supports missile defense, increasing military size and upgrading military technology. This could create thousands of manufacturing and engineering jobs nationally and boos armed forces recruitment. Atlanta's manufacturing and engineering industry currently employs 166,700 workers, down 4.7 percent from last year.
• automotive. McCain would provide incentives to automakers to develop new technology, give tax incentives for fuel-efficient cars, and has proposed $300 million for hybrid and electric car batteries. This could create new jobs for auto engineers and auto companies. Atlanta's transportation-equipment industry currently employs 14,500 workers, down 8.2 percent from last year.
• construction. McCain would focus on building environmentally-friendly buildings for commercial and residential use. This could create thousands of jobs nationally, including 700,000 to build nuclear power plants. Atlanta's construction industry employs 128,100, a decrease of 8 percent from last year.
• health insurance. McCain plans to reform the tax code and give workers a choice of health insurance outside from their employers, increasing competition. This could mean jobs for salespeople, claims adjusters, underwriters, examiners, investigators, management analysts and administrators. Atlanta's finance and insurance industries employ 111,500 workers, down 3.1 percent from last year.
• nuclear science and engineering. McCain plans to construct 45 nuclear power plants by 2030, a project costing $315 billion. This would create 700,000 jobs for entry-level workers, plant operators, power distributors and dispatchers. Atlanta's architectural, engineering and related industries employ 30,400 workers, a decrease of 2.6 percent from last year.
• oil and gas. McCain plans to drill for domestic oil and natural gas supplies. This could create jobs for petroleum technicians, equipment makers, engineers and laborers. Atlanta's natural resources industry employs 2,400 workers, down 4 percent from last year.

Under Democratic candidate Barack Obama, the following industries would most likely add workers:

• alternative energy. Obama plans to invest $150 billion during the next 10 years in renewable energy, including biofuel, hybrid and electric cars, low-emission coal plants, a digital electricity grid and solar and wind initiatives. This would create jobs for engineers, environmental scientists, equipment manufacturers, as well as those in the automotive, transportation, chemical and technology industries. Atlanta's professional, scientific and technical industry employs 168,400, down .4 percent from last year.
• civil engineering. Obama plans to invest money in infrastructure projects and designs for cities and towns, which would create many civil engineer jobs. Atlanta's architectural, engineering and related industries employ 30,400, down 2.6 percent from last year.
• construction. Obama will use $60 billion during the next 10 years to build and maintain buildings, bridges and national infrastructure. This could create up to 2 million direct and indirect jobs each year. Atlanta's construction industry employs 128,100 workers, a decrease of 8 percent from last year.
• education and teachers. Obama wants to pay teachers more and use teaching teams, parent programs and academic plans to help students. This could create opportunities for early childhood education teachers, counselors and mentors. The Atlanta area employs more than 62,000 full- and part-time teachers.
• manufacturing. Obama plans to give tax brakes to companies that produce American-made products, enticing companies to remain in the United States and creating many jobs. Atlanta's manufacturing industry employs 166,700 workers, down 4.7 percent from last year.
• telecommunications. Obama plans to provide broadband networks to every community, a plan that includes tax and loan incentives. This could create many telecommunications and technology jobs. Atlanta's telecommunications industry employs 37,400 workers, down .5 percent from last year.

Labels: Atlanta jobs