Let’s talk about the opportunities specifically related to growing flowers, greenery, trees, and vegetables, and planting them in the landscape. (This is the more narrow “green industry” commonly referenced, rather than the more broad “green jobs” designation that you might find in O*NET that includes occupations in additional industries such as Energy, Transportation, and Manufacturing.) The U. S. Department of Agriculture tracks activity in the green industry, collecting information from landscaping operations, garden centers, sod farms, pest control businesses, and other workplaces that employ workers to manage landscapes and plants.

The table below reflects a sampling of occupations in the green industry. You can check this information, look at additional occupations, and find schools that offer related programs via UtahFutures.

Sources: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (national), Utah Department of Workforce Services (state)

Did you know that electric vehicles actually outsold gas-powered vehicles in the early 1900s? Now they’re making a comeback! Electric vehicles are better for the environment, and – given the rising cost of gas prices – might also be more affordable over the long run. This industry employs a variety of workers in Research, Engineering, Manufacturing, and Maintenance. For example, there are research scientists who are focused on improving battery technology, including a group at Utah State University who just received a $3 million grant to improve electric vehicle battery performance. Chemical, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineers all play a role in the design, development, and testing of electric vehicles and the various systems involved in making those vehicles run efficiently. The largest concentration of U. S. workers in electric vehicle manufacturing occupations (assemblers, CNC tool operators, and machinists) is in the Great Lakes region, but workers that maintain electric vehicles are needed all across the country. No matter what the occupation, people who work on electric vehicles require specialized training.

You can learn more about these occupations, and find schools that offer related programs via UtahFutures. You might also be interested in this article in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly: Electric Vehicle Careers: On the Road to Change. And – just for fun – learn about an electric vehicle company on “our side” of the country: Tesla Motors. Tesla’s Chief Technical Officer got his start in the industry at age 14 when he discovered a discarded golf cart and re-built it!

Photo courtesy of Tesla Motors

Are you looking for a well-paying job? What if you are looking to start your career as quickly after graduating from high school as possible? Contrary to what you may have heard, you have some great options! High school students who combine their Pathway coursework with related work experience or on-the-job training, or who complete a certificate, other non-degree award, or an associate degree will have the training they need to compete in 80 well-paying occupations (over $50,000/year) that require less than a bachelor’s degree for entry. The following is a list of the top three highest paid occupations by education level. You can check out the full list – and a lot of other great information – in the Summer 2012 edition of the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.  

*Air Traffic Controller was the 5th highest paid occupation in Utah according to Utah Department of Workforce Services (“Utah’s Top 20”).

Sources: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Utah Department of Workforce Services

Nationally, Healthcare support occupations are expected to be the fastest growing occupational group through 2020. Home health aides account for the largest portion of jobs in this group, with 31 percent of the total by 2020.

The table below reflects a sampling of occupations that are projected to grow as fast as, or faster than average over 2010-2020. You can check this information, look at additional occupations, and find schools that offer related programs via UtahFutures.

Sources: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (national), Utah Department of Workforce Services (state)

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the largest occupational group is Office and Administrative Support, with a projected 2.3 million new jobs added from 2010 to 2020 – a growth rate of 10 percent. Unfortunately, most of this job growth represents a recovery of the 1.7 million jobs lost during the recession. If you are interested in Office and Administrative Support, be sure to check employment outlook for the specific occupations that you’re considering, as growth varies widely. This occupational group offers some good opportunities for high school grads who are looking for that first job.

The table below reflects a sampling of occupations that are projected to grow as fast as, or faster than average over 2010-2020.

Refer to UtahFutures.org for checking the employment outlook for a specific occupation.

The U. S. Department of Labor – Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has released the 2012-13 edition of the Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) – also available in Spanish. Published every other year, the OOH offers some great occupational information, including some quick lists of those occupations in the U. S. labor market projected to be fastest growing, those projected to have the most job openings, and those that pay the highest average wages. You can also create lists of your own by using search and sort features. For example, the table lists selected occupations that:

• Require an education level of “Postsecondary non-degree award” (i.e., certificate or other credential awarded upon completion of a college program) and,
• Have 50,000 or more openingsprojected annually (across the U. S.) and,
• Are growing faster than average (projected percent change in the number of jobs added 2010-2020 in these occupations is 20% or more).

On Tuesday, April 12, 2012, 10th grade students from the Central Region gathered together to participate in a Career Day event highlighting Career and Technical Education (CTE) Pathways. The event was held at the Sevier Valley Center in Richfield where 1,100 students explored numerous careers by participating in hands-on activities. Participating high schools included:

Students had the opportunity to explore over 60 different careers featured at the Career Day event. Local businesses set up interactive booths/displays where students were able to “try on a career” working hands-on using tools and equipment. “This year we focused on nontraditional careers. Upon arrival each student received a ‘Nontraditional Passport’ to record the careers they explored. Every student took the opportunity to explore four nontraditional careers for their gender,” said Darlene Wabel, Central Region CTE Pathways Coordinator.

Throughout the event students had a wonderful time exploring careers and participating in hands-on activities with local businesses. Students were engaged and eagerly participated in the many activities available, which included:

AT&T – Students learned how electronic communications work.
BLM – Students were introduced to the varied careers offered at many BLM locations.
Brooklyn Gardens – Students learned how to plant seeds for a greenhouse and how the to care for the plants for retail sale.
Central Utah Corrections – Students were able to see the day in a life of a corrections officer and the many things that challenge them on a daily basis from those confined in prison.
Central Utah Public Health – Students were shown how to give an injection and then practiced on oranges.
Mountain America Credit Union – Students learned how to manage a debit card.
National Weather Service – Students learned about how weather influences many careers and about the career of forecasting weather.
OSHA – Students learned how to put on and wear a safety harness.
Redmond Salt – Students learned how salt is mined and learned about the many products made from salt. They also learned how salt is used to enhance wildlife production.
SUU Engineering – Students built bridges from paper and then tested there strength with a coin.
Sevier County Sheriff – Students learned about careers in law enforcement, including occupations in the SWAT team and in the DARE program, learning about the equipment used to serve and protect the public.
Sevier Valley Hospital – Students looked at blood slides from the lab and learned how to use equipment in respiratory therapy.
Sprockets - Students used tools of the trade in repairing ATV’s and motorcycles.
USU Extension – Students had to identify different types of animal feed and select those that would increase animal production.
Utah Division of Natural Resources – Students learned the responsibilities of a Fish and Game Warden and those who grow the fish in the hatchery environment.
Thalman Orthodontics – Students were shown how an orthodontist learns to straighten teeth.
Wells Fargo – Students learned about bank accounts and filled out deposit slips.

Students had to dress in proper attire to work on a lifelike patient. Nursing is a nontraditional career for males.

A pilot is a nontraditional career for females.

A nontraditional career is any occupation in which women or men comprise 25 percent or less of its total employment. CTE students in the Central Region are among the 325,000 secondary and postsecondary CTE students in Utah. For information about the CTE classes offered at your school talk to your school counselor or visit UtahCTE.org.

 Career and Technical Education: Preparing Students for College and Career!

Summer and part-time jobs are not just a source of income, but can also help you develop important work and leadership skills that will give you an edge for your entire career. In addition, you’ll have opportunities to meet new people who may become lifelong friends or mentors. However, just 45 percent of youth between the ages of 16-24 were employed in August 2011 – significantly lower than the 54.5 percent employed five years ago. If you’re interested in a summer or part-time job, here is some information to help you prepare for and land a job that suits you. Start now!

1) If you are younger than age 16, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) defines some restrictions on the hours that you can legally work. There are also federal laws that prohibit workers under age 18 from working in hazardous occupations. Try the FLSA Child Labor Rules Advisor to check for restrictions that might apply to you.

2) The Occupational Safety and Health Administration promote summer job safety.

3) Take advantage of the Job Search tools, the online directory of Utah companies in FirmFind, plus a great article – “Simmering for a Summer Job” – offered by the Utah Department of Workforce Services.

4) The U. S. Department of Labor is launching a Summer Jobs + Jobs Bank! You can sign up here to be notified when the site goes live.

Finally, social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook) are used more frequently and in innovative ways by job seekers and employers alike. Be thoughtful and responsible as you post, but don’t be afraid to enlist the support of followers and friends as search for opportunities.

By Curtis Youngman, Professor of Marketing at Salt Lake Community College, and Concurrent Enrollment Liaison

Be assured that Career and Technical Education is working. Opportunities are almost limitless for students involved in higher education today. As students jump into their journey, there are many directions they can become involved in to help prepare for their career. Students need to plan ahead so they can move smoothly in the desired direction. Let’s address a couple of opportunities, and then show how those opportunities are successfully helping students reach their goals.

Career and Technical Education (CTE) is alive and progressing in the State of Utah. CTE shows students a direct connection between doing well in high school and a smooth transition to post-secondary opportunities or to getting a good job when they graduate. CTE Pathways are rigorous programs of study that assure strong technical and academic preparation that provides students with critical hands-on skills. Concurrent Enrollment is one essential strategy that assists in this rigorous training.

Concurrent Enrollment augments the CTE Program objectives and provides challenging college-level experiences for high school students. More than 27,444 Utah students earned over 188,000 credit hours of post-secondary learning last year.

The Salt Lake Community College Concurrent Enrollment Program provides leadership in maintaining partnerships with secondary education institutions that offer high school students the opportunity to earn college credit and high school credit concurrently as they enroll in and complete college-level courses, offered either at Salt Lake Community College or at an approved high school campus.

The Marketing/Management Program at Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) is an active experiential program that is highly engaged in Concurrent Enrollment. SLCC faculty members work with high school faculty at Alta, Cottonwood, Riverton, Herriman, Jordan, Skyline, Copper Hills, Kearns and Taylorsville High Schools to identify students who are eligible to participate in Concurrent Enrollment courses.

SLCC‘s Concurrent Enrollment Marketing courses taught on high school campuses include:

               MKTG 1030-Introduction to Marketing

               MKTG 1070-Promotion

               MKTG 1010-Customer Service

               MKTG 2000- Cooperative Education (Academy of Finance participants only)

Concurrent Enrollment courses provide hands-on educational experiences in the classroom. Students seamlessly transition from high school to college and develop the skills to successfully engage in the college-level experience.

I certainly appreciate working with the SLCC Concurrent Enrollment faculty and the high school faculty.  They are such role models to our students. Those students will one day be our leaders because of the key CTE programs in Utah.

Read the blog about Emily Dzaitlik. She took full advantage of the Concurrent Enrollment classes at SLCC, while a senior at Jordan High School.

Human service workers are employed by public and private organizations and agencies that assist people in need. The workers evaluate clients’ needs and develop plans that will help each client overcome current challenges. The key role human services workers play is to put the plan into action, either by providing direct services or coordinating services of other organizations. Types of human services organizations include:

• Employment agencies
• Food and nutrition agencies
• Housing and shelter organizations
• Legal and victims assistance organizations
• Public safety and disaster relief organizations
• Target population services organizations
• (e.g., foster and adoption agencies, senior citizens centers, women’s centers)
• Youth development organizations

Interpersonal and communication skills are critical for workers in this field. They also need to be able to work effectively as a member of a team, think creatively, and have compassion and patience – even when under stress. Human service workers typically complete postsecondary degrees in human services, counseling, social work or psychology. The level of education often dictates the type of work someone may perform and the amount of responsibility that they bear. Associate degree level workers may interview new clients, manage the details of cases, and connect them with appropriate services. Those with bachelor’s degrees spend much of their time managing cases, but may also provide some clinical support. A master’s degree enables human service workers to focus primarily on clinical work. For more information, read the full article in the Occupational Outlook Quarterly.