No matter what the experts say about a reviving economy, it’s
still hard to find a job.
No matter what the experts say about a reviving economy, it’s still hard to find a job.
Especially in San Benito County, where unemployment numbers have stayed around 10 percent for the last two years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the Department of Community Services and Workforce Development released a handbook Tuesday that could make it easier for job hunters scouring the classifieds each day.
The 2003 California Monterey Bay Region Occupational Outlook Report provides information on 60 occupations in San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties for job seekers, employers, educators and training professionals.
“You can find a variety of information and occupations all in one location, rather than checking out the classifieds, job postings or by word of mouth,” said Kathy Flores, executive director of the workforce development department. “It’s a very comprehensive piece of work.”
For each occupation the report outlines wage and benefits for new hires with and without experience, a supply and demand assessment, employment trends and whether the occupation employs a large or small number of employees.
It details what type of knowledge, skills and abilities are required for each profession, training and experience requirements, education levels needed and the primary recruitment methods.
It also gives anecdotal information in the form of personal interviews from local residents in certain occupations.
It gives real-life answers to a variety of questions such as: What would you recommend as the best preparation for someone who wants to enter this occupation; What is it that keeps you wanting to do this kind of work; and What was it that attracted you to this type of work.
“It gives a typical day in the life of a person in a particular occupation,” Flores said. “It’s information someone might not get from just looking at the data.”
The report also lists the jobs in San Benito County with the greatest growth. Occupations in medical and health services, sales managers, correctional officers and jailers and educational counselors are expected to grow considerably by the year 2008, according to the report.
The report is funded by the California Cooperative Occupational Information System, and is not slated to be funded next year, Flores said.
“We’re hoping the state reconsiders funding it because we consider it to be a valuable tool for job seekers and employers,” she said.
Copies of the report have been available for the public in past years, but because the department was allocated only half the amount it usually receives for printing costs they don’t have enough copies, Flores said.
“We hope the public downloads it, because it’s available on the Web site,” she said. “It’s a money issue.”
For a copy of the report go to the Employment Development Department’s Web site at www.calmis.cahwnet.gov/ or call Amy Smith at (831) 796-3384 or e-mail [email protected].
