M

any jobs that do not require a four-

year degree need workers and are
growing quickly.
In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics occupational projections through 2016,
they found:
v Of the 30 fastest-growing occupations, half
(15) require less than a bachelors degree;
v Of the 30 occupations with the largest
employment growth, more than half (23) require
less than a bachelors degree; and
v Of the 30 occupations with the largest num-
ber of total job openings due to growth and net
replacements (often referred to as attrition), the
majority (26) require less than a bachelors degree.
In other words, associate degrees, other postsec-
ondary certification, and on-the-job training, are
essential in todays fastest growing occupations!
Every day, occupational experts like Laurence
Shatkin analyze trends in the labor market and
interpret how these trends might affect peoples
careers both now and in the future.
In the recently released tenth edition of Top
100 Careers Without a Four-Year Degree (JIST
Publishing), Shatkin identifies the following labor
market trends and explains how they can have a
profound effect on a persons success in the job
search and their career.

Education Pays
Its no secret that people who have more edu-
cation and training generally earn more than those
with less, but the advantages dont stop there.
According to Shatkin, Jobs that require educa-
tion and training beyond high school are pro-
jected to grow significantly faster than jobs that
do not. People with higher levels of education
and training are less likely to be unemployed,
and when they are, they remain unemployed for
shorter periods of time. There are always
exceptions, but it is clear that more education
results in higher earnings and lower rates
of unemployment.

Knowledge of Computer and Other
Technologies is Increasingly Important
Shatkin explains that in all fields, people with-
out job-related technical or computer skills tend
to have a more difficult time finding good oppor-
tunities because they are competing with others
who do have these skills. Employers hire people
who have the skills they need, and people without
these abilities wont get the best jobs. Whatever
your age, consider upgrading your job-related
computer and technology skills if they are not up
to date and plan to keep them current on your
present and future jobs, he adds.

Ongoing Education and Training are Essential
According to Shatkin, rapid changes in tech-
nology have prompted the requirement for people
to continue learning throughout their work life.
He says, Jobs are constantly upgraded, and
todays jobs often cannot be handled by people
who have only the knowledge and skills that were
adequate for workers a few years ago. To remain
competitive, you will need to constantly upgrade
your technology and other job-related skills. This
may include taking formal courses, reading work-
related magazines at home, signing up for on-the-
job training, or participating in other forms
of education.

Career Planning is More Important Than Ever
Most people spend more time watching TV
in a week than they spend on career planning
during an entire year. Yet most people will
change their jobs many times and make major
career changes five to seven times. For this
reason, it is important for you to spend time
considering your career options and preparing to
advance, explains Shatkin.
Labor Market Trends Part I
October 2011 JTPR Training Tool-Kit 1
Training TOOL-KIT
A TRAINING TOOL FOR THE JOB DEVELOPER TO SHARE WITH CLIENTS TO ASSIST THEM IN SECURING EMPLOYMENT
client and the job developer about many of the
most desirable jobs in the labor market. The
assessment section can help the job seeker focus
on his/her career options.
v Considering more education or training
The information presented helps the job seeker
avoid costly mistakes in choosing a career or
deciding on additional training or education and
it enhances the individuals chances of planning a
bright future.
v Job hunting This book helps the job
seeker and his/her professional and family sup-
port group identify new job targets, prepare for
interviews, and write targeted rsums. In fact,
the advice presented in this book has been proven
to cut job search time in half.
v Career planning The job descriptions help
individuals explore their options, along with career
planning advice and other useful information.
Source of Information
The job descriptions in Shatkins book
are from the U.S. Department of Labor, as
published in the most recent edition of the
Occupational Outlook Handbook. The OOH is
widely considered the best source of career
information available, and the descriptions
include he most current, accurate data on jobs.
In addition, the figures on earnings have been
updated with data from the Occupational
Employment Statistics survey.
Occupational Information
In addition to covering labor market trends
and other areas, a wealth of other occupational
information is available throughout Top 100
Careers Without a Four-Year Degree, Tenth
Edition. These job descriptions include
information about each jobs:
Pay;
Outlook;
Education requirements;
Skills needed; and more.
NEXT MONTH: Several of these jobs will be
described in part two of this two-part article.
Assessing Skills
Shatkins book also includes checklists and a
Job-Match Grid that helps readers assess their
skills and match them to the occupations in the
book. A bonus section gives readers results-ori-
ented career planning and job search advice.
Readers will learn how to develop a skills lan-
guage, take advantage of the most effective job
search methods, prepare for interviews, and more.
Who Should Use This Book?
Top 100 Careers Without a Four-Year Degree
is more than a book containing job descriptions.
A great deal of time was spent thinking about
how to make its contents useful for a variety of
situations, including:
v Exploring career options There is a
wealth of information for both the job-seeking
2 JTPR Training Tool-Kit October 2011
Whatever Field
You Choose,
Communication is Key
Regardless of whatever field it is that
the job seeker chooses, chances are that
communication skills will be important. In
fact, communication skills top the list of
qualities that employers seek from job can-
didates, according to a recent survey con-
ducted by the National Association of
Colleges and Employers (NACE).
Individuals who possess stellar communi-
cation skills are more likely to land jobs,
keep them, and get promoted.
More specifically, the leading
communication skills and qualities cited
by employers are as follows:
Overall communication skills (both
verbal, nonverbal, listening and writing);
Strong work ethic;
Teamwork skills;
Analytical skills; and
Initiative.
Source: Workplace Communication Skills DVD, by
JIST Publishing, www.jist.com.