T O H BS JO Where Are the Hot jobs in CNY?
Some sectors that will see more employment are lodging and food services; healthcare and social assistance; transportation and warehousing; and professional and business services By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant
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ince the COVID-19 pandemic, the job market has experienced changes unprecedented in our lifetimes. But one thing that’s certain is that anyone who wants a job has plenty of opportunity to find one in Central New York. Michelle Jevis, co-owner of CR Fletcher Temps and CR Fletcher Industrials in Syracuse, said that in both administrative roles and hands-on rolls, “there’s a shortage of talent in medical facilities, like medical technicians to
general business support.” The pandemic only exacerbated the chronic shortage of workers in healthcare. Already, the industry was dealing with factors such as the youngest generation’s reduced interest in hands-on work, waves of retiring baby boomers and increased demand for healthcare by the aging population. The pandemic dealt an additional blow with even greater demand for healthcare workers of all types and a wave of workers
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quitting the field. For numerous years, the trades have struggled to fill roles. The emphasis on college education since Gen X came of age has pulled many students away from considering these jobs. “We hear from employers on a regular basis that they are in need of electricians, mechanics and similar positions,” said Rachel Pierce, executive director of Workforce Development Board of Oswego County in Fulton. One answer to this quandary has been introducing apprenticeship programs to provide paid work paired with free education. “Apprenticeships are also being introduced in the IT and healthcare fields, along with vocational training for healthcare, transportation and various industry-specific certifications,” Pierce said. Locally, trade positions are likely to increase exponentially as Micron begins operations in Clay. Randy Wolken president and CEO of the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, views the local outlook for the trades as exceptional. “Given the investments that have been committed to our region,
