January 7, 2008

Jobs: Where the growth is

Healthcare jobs could see boost as boomers age.
NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Recession fears may take a toll on hiring trends in the near-term, but as baby boomers retire, demand for certain types of workers should see a boost, according to a recent government report.

In addition to continued job growth in the technology sector, healthcare jobs should see a significant boost from 2006 to 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of Americans aged 55 years or older is expected to increase by 20 million - nearly as much as the increase in the total population by 2016, the bureau said.

"A growing elderly population generates demand for services to help them stay in their homes or in residential housing," BLS said in a recent jobs forecast.

The elderly will stay healthier and live longer, and since certain services are difficult to automate, jobs for personal and home-care aides in the United States are expected to grow by 50.6 percent to 1.16 million from 2006 to 2016, BLS reported. Also in that period, medical assistant jobs are expected to grow 35.4 percent.

But while nurses and physician assistants are projected to grow by 23 percent and 27 percent on demand for their services, the number of doctors and surgeons is expected to increase by just 14 percent.

Additionally, as services for the disabled, sick, substance abusers, and individuals and families in crisis increase, community and social services sectors should add 541,000 jobs and grow more than twice as fast as the average for all occupations, BLS said.

And as workers take a more active approach to saving for retirement, personal financial adviser jobs are expected to grow 41 percent, BLS said.

Even after retirement, a growing number of retirees are expected to use an adviser's help to make their savings last.

No comments: