Jobs Outlook During Coronavirus Crisis: Greater Los Angeles Area
Since COVD-19 hit the United States, it’s easy to get discouraged about job market. But for those searching for jobs in Southern California, there is good news if you have the right skills and training.
In the past month, there were nearly 90,000 jobs available in the Greater Los Angeles areas, which includes Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange County, Riverside County and San Bernardino Count areas that did not require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree. According to the Center for a Competitive Workforce (CCW), middle-skills jobs (those requiring professionals to have an associate degree, complete some college, or a professional certificate) will account for 40% of all jobs in Greater Los Angeles over the next five years. By adding a key skills to your resume or earning a professional certificate, you could have everything you need to land a job, even in these uncertain times.
Here are four top growing job sectors in Greater Los Angeles along with a few skills you need for success:
BUSINESS
According to LACounty.gov, if Los Angeles County were a country, it would be the 19th largest economy in the world. In fact, it is home to nearly 250,000 businesses, and there are jobs available. This area is home to nearly 18 million people and it is easy to gain access to other markets including San Diego and Northern California and even other states like Nevada and Arizona. There is also great access to national and international markets through use of six commercial airports, three seaports and interstate highways.
The Centers of Excellence (COE) for Labor Market Research recently compiled a list of the “Top 100 Middle-Skills Jobs” in Los Angeles and surrounding areas which outlined the top growing professions. Several of these top 100 jobs are in the Business sector including: Administrative Assistant, Bookkeeping, Paralegal, Payroll Clerk, Human Resources Assistant, Legal Secretary, Translator, and others.
Top Skills and Certifications
Certified Administrative Professional with Microsoft Office Specialist – These are two of the most valuable certifications that an administrative professional can hold because they prove you have the skills needed to perform administrative duties in any industry.
Certified Bookkeeper – Earning your American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB) Certified Bookkeeper credential showcases your skills as some of best in the industry. It also increases your earning potential and enhances your professional status.
Certified Paralegal – Formal training is critical to the success of a paralegal. To enter the industry, you will need to understand legal terminology, how to conduct legal interviews and research, and more. You will also want to earn your Certified Paralegal (CP) credential through the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA) to help set you apart.
Chartered Tax Professional – You can become qualified to prepare taxes for those 18 million people in your area with a course in federal and also specific California state tax laws and receive an Enrolled Agent credential from the IRS.
Entrepreneurship – We’ve already established that Los Angeles and Southern California are great places to do business. Get the skills you need to succeed in starting your own business in the areas of writing a proper business plan, marketing techniques, financing, and management best practices.
Human Resources Professional – The Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI) shows that you have the knowledge and experience needed to excel in human resources management, and it is a requirement for advancement to higher-level HR roles in most companies.
Payroll Practice and Management – A payroll course can give you a quick entry into this growing field with information on Fair Labor Standards, state labor laws, IRS codes, reporting basics, and year-end forms.
Professional Translator – Los Angeles and its surrounding areas are extremely culturally diverse. This is one of the reasons that translators are listed in the top 100 jobs in the area, and gaining your professional certification from the American Translators Association (ATA) will put you a step ahead of others in line for those jobs.
Project Management Essentials with CAPM Prep – Even in a challenging job marketing, the opportunities for skilled project management professionals across all industries is increasing because they help companies to become more efficient while saving money. The Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) credential from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is a great first step into these valuable and lucrative positions.
HEALTHCARE
Some very well-known healthcare organizations including GoodRx, Health Net, Johnson & Johnson, CVS Health, RadNet, Medic ID and more than 76 hospital emergency departments and 15 trauma centers including Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, have offices in or are home to the Los Angeles area.
Healthcare is booming due to large population increases and the Center for a Competitive Workforce (CCW) expects 125,000 additional jobs to be added in the Los Angeles basin. The CCW also reports that middle-skills jobs account for 65 percent of these healthcare jobs that will be added meaning you don’t necessary need advanced education to be a part of this growing industry! According to the COE for Labor Market Research, some of the fastest growing middle-skills healthcare jobs include: Medical Assistants, Nursing Assistants, Pharmacy Technicians, Clinical Dental Assistants and Medical Billing and Coding Specialists.
Top Skills and Certifications
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) – This certification is offered by the National Healthcare Association and is a recognized standard in the industry. It is often required for employment as a medical assistant.
Clinical Dental Assistant – Gain the skills and information you need to be a successful dental assistant who understands preventative dentistry, patient care and communication, radiology, pharmacology, anesthesia, assisting in special procedures, and prepare to get certified by the Dental Assisting National Board.
CPC Certified Medical Administrative Assistant – Set yourself apart as someone who understands the ins and outs of medical assisting including medical terminology with a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant (CMAA) credential from the National Healthcareer Association (NHA). And, you may want to go even one step further by earning a Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) and showing employers that you have valuable knowledge of medical coding.
CPC Medical Billing and Coding – Earning your Certified Professional Coder (CPC) credential from the American Academy of Professional Coders (AAPC) is the first step toward a career in Medical Billing and Coding because it shows that you understand the legal, ethical and regulatory concepts central to this profession.
Pharmacy Technician – Prepare to pass the Pharmacy Technician Certification Exam (PTCE) offered by the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board (PTCB) to enter this in demand career. You’ll also need to complete an externship to gain valuable experience in the field.
TECHNOLOGY
Many people think of the bay area when it comes to technology, but Los Angeles and Southern California are rich in technology that is still growing. In fact, nearly 33,300 people work in computer systems design and software publishing according to the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. It is home to Lockhead Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman and hundreds of others including many up and coming startups.
Computer User Support Specialists, Network and Computer Systems Administrators, and Computer Network Support Specialists are just some of the middle-skills technology jobs that made the COE for Labor Market Research list of “Top 100 Jobs” in Los Angeles and surrounding areas.
Top Skills and Certifications
CompTIA A+ Certification Training – CompTIA A+ Certification is the gold standard in the industry and essential to beginning a career in technical support or IT operations jobs. With this certification you will prove to employers that you have the skills to connect users with their data on any device through any obstacle.
CompTIA A+ Certification Training – CompTIA A+ Certification is the gold standard in the industry and essential to beginning a career in technical support or IT operations jobs. With this certification you will prove to employers that you have the skills to connect users with their data on any device through any obstacle.
Full Stack Software Developer – Web and application development is changing and companies are looking for developers who can do it all – full stack developers. You’ll need to gain skills to work in front-end dev, back-end dev, databases, DevOps, and mobile app dev as so you can handle projects involving databases, servers, user-interface, clients, and everything in between related to software and application development.
TRADES
Maybe more than ever before, trade jobs are growing in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. In fact, the Center for a Competitive Workforce (CCW) estimates that nearly 25,000 new middle-skills jobs will be needed in construction and HVACR alone throughout L.A. and the surrounding areas during the next five years. It also estimates a 3.9 percent growth in the number of repair and maintenance jobs during this period and mentioned the rapid growth in veterinary assistant jobs.
The Centers of Excellence for Labor Market Research recently listed maintenance and repair workers and HVACR technicians among others in its list of top 100 growing middle-skills jobs.
Top Skills and Certifications
Home Inspection – You’ll need to understand the components, processes and procedures that go into a successful home inspection as you work toward an NIBI Certified Inspector credential to show potential employers you have what it takes to hit the ground running in a career as a home inspector.
HVACR Technician – To be successful in this role, you will need to obtain an apprenticeship with a certified HVACR technician to gain on-the-job experience as well as work toward a highly-sought-after NATE or HVAC Excellence certification and the federally mandated EPA 608 certification.
Veterinary Assistant – Gain the experience and expertise you need in pet care, nutrition, vaccinations, medication, animal restraint, sample collection, surgical assisting, and more to be a veterinary assistant by completing a course and externship in veterinary assisting.
GET THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING YOU NEED ONLINE
You can gain the skills you need to land a job in some of these in-demand areas with little to know experience by completing a highly-respected program entirely online — making it possible to move forward even under current “stay-at-home” orders.
Our online courses are taught by instructors with extensive experience in the area you are studying. They will provide you not only with information on the topic, but also with real-world experience applying the knowledge and skills you will learn.
YOUR NEW CAREER AWAITS
Stop stressing over the uncertainty we are facing and start taking action toward gaining the skills you will need to land a job in any economy.
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